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MICROBES 

AND 

HEALTH! 













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k. 





WILSON 




Class __. ^'K3/sJ 

Book . V/7_f:. 

Copyright N^ 

COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



MICEOBES 



AND 



HEALTH 



BY 

SAMUEL J. WILSON, M. D. 



MEMBER CLINTON COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY, 

CENTRAL MICHIGAN MEDICAL SOCIETY, 

MICHIGAN STATE MEDICAL 

SOCIETY 



PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR 
1901 




THE Lj8RARY of 

CONGRESS, 
Two Coir-icd Received 

OCT. 7 1901 

COPVRIOHT ENTRY 

CLASS^ XXc. NO. 
COPY B. i 




COPYRIGHT, 1901 

BY 

SAMUEL J. WILSON. M. D. 



ROBERT SMITH PRINTING CO. 

PRINTERS AND BINDERS 

LANSING, MICH. 



CONTEXTS. 

Page. 

Introductory 1 

Grerms 13 

Consumption 134 

Typhoid Fever 178 

« 

The N"on-Contao'ious Diseases 194 



PREFx\CE. 

In the following pages the author has endeavored 
to give a rational cause for disease^ especially those 
diseases that are contagious, or those said to be caused 
by germs. 

He has endeavored to explain, 

First, what a germ is, and its relation to man. 

Second, the various germ theories are , presented. 
These theories are released from all superfluous verbi- 
age; stripped of their delusive coverings, and left to 
stand or fall according to their merits. 

Third, and last, there is presented the true medium 
by which disease is conveyed from one to another, a 
medium wholly independent of the germ. 

The author is a firm believer in germs, for germs are 
the means of carrying on the world^s economy, the 
medium through which all material progress has been 
made; but it would be unreasonable to say that this 
medium is destructive to man. Yet, by a system of 
theorizing, the bacteriologists have actually succeeded 
in establishing in the minds of some a belief that germs 
are the cause of disease. 

The author believes that all such theories have ema- 
nated from a hj^pothesis, an assumed basis which fails 
to present even a comprehensive guess or a logical sup- 
position. 

It is easy to frighten people over a case of diphtheria 



Vlll MICEOBES AND HEALTH. 

or smallpox, and with, health, boards sounding the notes 
of alarm, many become excited, and are willing to 
believe any foolish thing. 

When disease enters a community, if people would 
pay less attention to the hypothetical germ theorist, 
and the promulgators of fads, deal less with the im- 
aginative and speculative, and depend more upon the 
real and the natural, disease would be less serious, for 
excitement only lowers the powers of resistance and 
renders disease more fatal. 

From the teachings of bacteriology certain conclu- 
sions have been drawn regarding disease and its cause, 
and the purpose of this volume is to meet those con- 
clusions with what the writer believes to be the true 
explanation, and one wholly independent of the germ. 
Therefore, whatever is said in the following pages is 
aimed at the principle and not at the bacteriologists. 

While the author has endeavored to give a full and 
clear description of the various subjects mentioned, — 
consumption, typhoid fever, disease, the various germ 
theories, etc., he has also aimed to eliminate all super- 
fluous verbiage, and present each subject in the fewest 
words consistent with a correct understanding of each. 

This gives the greatest amount of knowledge with 
a minimum amount of reading. 

Each chapter is written in a plain conversational 
manner, which can be readily understood by all. 



MICEOBES AND HEALTH. 



INTEODFCTORY. 

"The crowning virtue of manliood is man, and as 
the coming centuries roll over their ashes, their names 
will be held in as profound respect as if angel purity 
had given the impress of divinity to their every action. 

"As time advances their deeds will become richer and 
holier until they command the respect and reverence 
of every beholder." 

A nation may be lost in the whirlpool of revolution 
and strife, yet the names of great men ^Wll remain as 
enduring as time. 

The men who have led the world in peace and war, 
who have snatched victory from land and sea, who have 
made the world beautiful and gTand, who have labored 
for the advancement of the human race, labored to place 
man upon a higher plane intellectually, labored to re- 
lieve suffering and prolong human life, have been 
prompted by the demands of imperious duty based upon 
the divine principles of equality. As time advances the 
progress and successful termination of the principles 
for which they struggled combine to throw around them 
a halo that fills the reader with admiration. 

They are men who have struggled for the support 



Z MICKOBES AlS^D HEALTH. 

of those principles upon which governments are 
founded^ labored for such goyernment of a state or 
nation as will resnlt in the greatest prosperity, peace 
and safety for its people, and bring about the best 
possible results of civil society. They are men who aid 
in the production, accumulation and distribution of 
wealth, both financial and intellectual; aid and sup- 
port great industrial revolutions, and aid in modifying 
man^s selfish desires. They realize that industrial 
ireedom is one of the most sacred rights of man ; realize 
the obligations of those in power, and strive for the 
protection of the people, and for their preservation and 
defense against foreign control. 

"Do unto others as you would have others do unto 
you was the watchword in heaven before this mighty 
world was spoken into existence, and its melodies will 
be chanted through the rolling ages of eternity.^^ 
These magic words are still the guiding star to all who 
are striving to dispel the mists of superstition and 
place benevolence and right before commercial inter- 
ests. 

"Justice is one of the noblest attributes of man. 
It soars above self and is prompted by honest motives. 
It aims at glorious ends. It is not confined to any na- 
tion, country or caste. ISTo sectarianism can swerve it, 
no monarch suppress it, and no obstacle paralyze it.^^ 

Contrast such principles with the gigantic system 
that has been built up during the last few years, 
founded upon the present day germ theories, and sup- 
ported by what is called serum therapy, animal ex- 
tracts and antitoxins. These are simply the filthy 



INTRODUCTORY. 3 

blood serums taken from the lower animals and in- 
jected into the hnman system. By this means the 
bacteriologists claim to be able to cure disease: espe- 
cially those diseases that are "ketching." Yet it is 
well known that they cannot cnre smallpox, measles, 
whooping-congh, scarlet fever, or any other disease. 
In fact, while health boards and other bacteriologists 
mannf acture and nse antitoxins for many diseases, they 
have proved such ntter failures that of late we hear 
little of them, except antitoxin for diphtheria. The 
others have faded from view nntil even the most san- 
guine bacteriologist is ashamed to speak of them. Anti- 
toxin for diphtheria will meet the same fate. The 
same is true of animal extracts. In fact, the whole 
germ theory with its auxiliaries, although encased in an 
armor of self -pride and arbitrary leadership, will die 
a natural death. 

The claims of the bacteriologist are pure assumption. 
They claim consumption is contagious, yet the writer 
knows of no evidence they have ever produced in sup- 
port of such a claim. In fact, the very nature of the 
disease renders such evidence impossible. Health 
boards are not only trying to force the consumptive 
into exile, but to force their theoretical literature upon 
the public even to greater extent than they have hereto- 
fore been able to do. 

They claim to lead the medical profession, to decide 
what diseases are contagious and those that are not. 
Officialism asserts and you must believe. Unsuspecting 
and susceptible legislators are prevailed upon to grant 
additional appropriations and pass new laws, increasing 



4 MICROBES AXD HEALTH. 

the power of the bacteriologist over the individual ph}^- 
sician and the general public. The legislators receive 
every enconragement from the attending bacteriolo- 
gists who aid and abet the passage of the various bills. 

We believe the lobbying necessary to convert this 
mass of bacteriological maze into law is demoraliz- 
ing and degrading to human nature; that it antago- 
nizes natural progress, tramples upon justice and ulti- 
mately would destroy all that is worthiest for which 
the world has so long striven. It is doubtful if the 
crowned heads of Europe or the president of the United 
States possess such absolute authority. In spite of 
our boasted civilization and intellectual liberty, there 
has grown up among us a form of arbitrary power that 
would astonish any careful observer. 

All legislation intended to prohibit or regulate any 
calling or industry is class legislation, and is repugnant 
to the spirit of constitutional liberty. Health boards 
and pure food commissions are maintained by class 
legislation, and any association or corporation that can- 
not live without class legislation is not worthy an 
existence. 

To govern best is to govern least. It is said the 
founders of our republic taught that a government was 
simply an association of individuals designed to pre- 
serve order and administer justice. But politicians 
are said to be parasites caring nothing for the body on 
which they feed except as foraging ground. 

A man is useful only so long as his knowledge is 
based upon unconscious worth and ability. Every 
manty speculator may diverge from the ideal or pos- 



INTRODUCTORY. 5 

sible, but the moment a man feels a sense of superior- 
ity he casts a shadow across the plane of natural pro- 
gress. 

We realize that state boards of health and serum 
manufacturers would move heaven and earth to main- 
tain their commercial interest and pose as leaders 
of the medical profession. But theor}^ versus facts 
will never succeed. "Truth crushed to earth shall rise 
again." The germ theories are fading. Truth and 
realities are taking their place^ and soon they will lie 
buried beneath the charitable mantle of natural pro- 
gress. Even now it is estimated that less than half 
the medical profession believe the doctrine. Yet the 
efforts of those who support its claims have resulted 
in vast business enterprises which extend their inter- 
ests throughout the civilized world. So skillfully has 
this been done that the public look upon each move 
with the greatest admiration, and wonder what science 
will discover next. What is the result of this marvel- 
ous and complicated system of research? Why, there 
is no evidence that the bacteriologists have ever pre- 
vented a single disease or saved one human life. On 
the contrary, with the discovery of each new(?) mic- 
robe, the scythe of death cuts a new swath in the ranks 
of living men and women. This fatal termination is 
the natural result of testing some new serum or animal 
extract, and is also influenced by the excitement and 
fear created by some startling claims made by the state 
boards of health or other bacteriologists. We be- 
lieve the so called science is the outgrowth of gi- 
gantic commercial interests, which are supported by 



b MICROBES AXD HEALTH. 

those who are acting contrary to natural laws, laws 
which are repellant alike to science and humanity. It 
is publicly stated that some of our philanthropists are 
to build an immense institute for medical research. (?) 
We are told that the proposed institution is to be 
established on the theories of Koch, Pasteur, and other 
commercial scientists in Europe. Yet the chief event 
which made the name of Koch famous was the con- 
struction of a colossal edifice of pretense, to which 
clung the desperate hopes of countless consumptives- 
only to be crushed when it fell, or when Koch's tuber- 
culin was pronounced a fraud by the civilized world. 

Again, when we turn from this financial enterprise 
to that of Pasteur, of hydrophobia fame, we find that 
during the past fifty years there probably have not been 
so many cases of hydrophobia in the United States as 
have occurred in Paris in one year, and Paris is the 
home of the Pasteur Institute. This corresponds to 
the statement of James Howard Thornton, C. B. M. B., 
Fellow of Kings College, London, that the inoculation 
of the Pasteur antirabic serum often produces hydro- 
phobia. The same as antitoxin for diphtheria often 
causes death. It is stated that at the April 9th, 1900, 
meeting of the medical association of the greater city 
of 'New York, antitoxin for diphtheria Avas almost uni- 
versally condemned by those who spoke. 

We remember the teaching that every animal lives 
upon another. That the strong devour the weak. 
That every mouth is a slaughter-house and every stom- 
ach a tomb, and that over this precipice runs a perfect 
Magara of blood. We believe that trusts, boards of 



IXTRODUCTORY. 7 

healthy pure food commissions and other monopolies 
possess this gormandizing power to a remarkable de- 
gree, and, while his efforts may be weak, the author will 
lend his influence to aid in checking the tremendous 
tide of commercialism that underlies the germ theories, 
the manufacture of animal extracts, serum therapy, 
and antitoxins. 

The millions of public money now turned into the 
channels of so called medical science, and for which 
boards of health are largely responsible, should be con- 
verted into institutions where the gTand yet simple 
truths of hygienic living could be open to all. Health 
must be obtained by temperance, purity, cleanliness, a 
contented mind and cheerful spirit, and by healthful 
atmosphere, rendered 23ure by the untiring operation 
of nature^s laboratory: and not by inoculating the sys- 
tem with poison from diseased animals or dug from the 
brains and entrails of tortured brutes. ^'But self is 
the Sahara of the human heart, where all the noble 
powers of the soul are buried in its scorching sands." 
The mournful process of trying to extract your health 
from another^s disease, or your comfort from another's 
misery, should be exchanged for that preventive medi- 
cine, that beautiful gift — an untainted system. 



GERMS. 

At first the germ theory was, oh. so easy, so delight- 
fully simple. It was this: "Every contagious disease 
was due to a specific germ. 'No germ ; no disease ; elimi- 
nate the germ, cure the disease.^^ This was a plain state- 
ment which all could understand. But now the bacter- 
iologists themselves admit that there are innumerable 
cases of infectious disease where no germ can be found, 
and also innumerable cases where the germs are pres- 
ent, and no disease can be found, and as a result they 
have tried to get out of the difficulty by saying : ^'Bac- 
teriologists have come to recognize that not the pres- 
ence of the germ, but some virulent condition of the 
microbe causes the disease. In other words the dis- 
eased condition seems to be common to both germ and 
patient, and the problem which really confronts us is 
to find out what ails the germ.^^ We believe the germ 
is all right, and respectfully inquire what ails the bac- 
teriologists ? Again, if the "disease is common to both 
germ and patient," let us ask, does the patient take 
the disease from the germ, or does the germ take the 
disease from the patient? 

The tendency of the bacteriologist is to lead the 
medical profession, and to do this they think they must 
get up something new, or they will not be popular ; the 
next thing is a large number of imaginary successes in' 



10 MICROBES AND HEALTH. 

some very difficult cases, which, of course, could not 
have been performed without their new discovery, new 
antiseptics, new antitoxins, etc. Then they must have 
a load of testimonials from leading( ?) men — men with 
far-fetched distinction; now they have made a mark 
or name for themselves, which distinguishes them as 
leaders. Next, they must have a following. Some will 
readily agree with them and will advocate any, and all 
proposed plans, but the great majority will fall in line 
simply because they are afraid to do otherwise; they 
are afraid the bacteriologists will accuse them of being 
behind the times. 

Since our late unpleasantness with Spain we have 
heard much about bubonic plague. The writer has 
just read a pamphlet on bubonic plague written by 
Dr. Walter Wyman, a noted bacteriologist. The doctor 
claims the disease is caused by a germ, and he describes 
the plague germ as a "cocco-bacillus." Coccus means 
round like a ball, and bacillus means long like a rod. 
It is known that many times bacteriologists do not 
agree, and this wise division is understood to be for 
the purpose of giving both sides an equal chance. The 
advice furnished by Doctor Wyman and other bacter- 
iologists is given in large quantities. Such generosity 
reminds us of the Irishman's will, which, condensed, 
reads something like this : 

I bequathe to all mankoind the free air of hiven, all 
the fishes in the sea they can ketch, and all the birds 
in the air they can shute. I bequathe to thim all the 
sun, moon and stars. I lave to Timothy 0' Flaherty 
one pint of potheen I can't finish. May God have 
mercv on O'Flahertv. 



GEEAIS. 11 

The bacteriologists are unable to give iis the cause- 
of disease^ but they can tell ns of the germ. The bacil- 
lustnbercnlosisofKoch, and later the rftaphylococciis- 
pyogeneseaureiis and last the cocco-bacillns. The im- 
portance of this combination bacillustnbercnlosissta- 
phylococcnspyogenesaurenscoccobacillns cannot be over- 
estimated^ nor can it be fnlly appreciated except by 
the disciples of Koch. 

Dr. Wyman is Supervising Surgeon General, TJ. S. 
Marine Hospital Service, and after explaining( ?) ho^^ 
the germ enters the bod}^ the doctor says regarding^ 
the spread of disease, that rats are the most probable 
means of conve^'ance. Then Dr. Wyman himself askg 
the stupendous question: "How is the disease con- 
veyed from rat to rat?" 

The doctor proceeds to answer his own question. 

Regarding this grave problem the doctor solemnly 
declares: "It is very possible that the fleas which in- 
fest rats, and which notoriously leave their bodies as 
soon as the cadavers become cold after death, may, by 
their bites infect other rats.'' 

Fleas, beside the germs, the bacteriologists can in- 
form us regarding fleas, that order of insects known 
as Seplionoptera, and especially the variety Piilex- 
iritans. 

Of course there are many other varieties. The Piilexr 
canis, Pidex felis domestica, sand fleas, sand hoppers,, 
jiggers, etc. 

It is said these pellucid parasites are armed with an 
apparatus called the suctorial proboscis, or something 
like that. We admit that we possess but a limited 



12 MICEOBES AND HEALTH. 

knowledge of the histological anatomy of the flea, nor 
is it necessary, for the bacteriologists, armed with their 
test tubes, cnltnre media, incubators and microscopes, 
can tell lis all about the proboscis suctorialous, aye 
more, it was their penetrating eye and revolving brain 
that first saw the elements of health in the secretions 
'of that long-whiskered animal so frequently mentioned 
in the books of Moses, and who first breathed the words 
Roherfs Lympli. 

But to return to Doctor Wyman and his flea. The 
doctor says one has but to reflect upon the vast amount 
of research, thought and labor of which he is the ex- 
ponent, and the miser}^, disaster and death which would 
'Otherwise follow, to appreciate the value of bacteriology. 

Fearing the reader may not fully understand or ap- 
preciate the claims of bacteriology, let us quote Doctor 
Wyman again. He says fleas first distribute disease 
-among rats, and the rats convey the disease to man. 

Is it plain now? 

Or is it still a myster}^, how capable men like Doctor 
Wyman and other bacteriologists can spend their time 
■among fleas, rats, guinea pigs, test tubes and other 
•appliances utterly worthless in the diagnosis or treat- 
ment of disease? 

In his rational treatment of disease, fifteenth edition, 
page 4-5, the well known Charles Marchand, chemist 
of New York City, says: 

"It is, perhaps, to be deplored that all later investi- 
gations seem to have thrown some doubt on the value 
of positive testimony in bacteriology. Most physicians 
had come to accept the conclusions that if after making 



GEKMS. 13^ 

a proper culture, the germs were found, that this fact 
alone was positive proof of the presence of the disease, 
but that on the other hand, so much reliance could not 
be placed upon negative evidence, for sometimes the 
disease existed when no srerms could be found." 

Sepsis and Asepsis. 

While the author is not a believer in the germ cau- 
sation of disease, he is a firm believer in Sepsis and 
Asepsis, because he realizes the dangers lurking in 
filth, and appreciates the benefits of cleanliness. He- 
believes that absolute cleanliness is not only neces- 
sary in operative surgery, but also in the every-day lives 
of the people. This means pure water, fresh air and 
sunshine; it means pure food and a clean kitchen; it 
means bathing, the prevention of putrefactive changes,, 
etc. 

Isolation and Disinfection. 

Again, while the author is not a believer in the germ 
causation of disease, he is emphatically in favor of 
isolating every infectious case. Strict quarantine reg- 
ulations should be practised with every disease that is 
"ketching.-'^ Carbolic acid, a solution of lime in water,, 
or other antiseptics should be freely used, while fresh 
air and sunshine should be admitted in abundance. 
It seems hardly necessary to add that mechanical clean- 
liness in the form of soap and water is entitled to- 
every encouragement. This is as true in health as in 
sickness. In fact if as much care was given to health 
as has been lavished upon disease, the latter would 
vanish, and decay would be death^s only victim. 



14 MICKOBES AND HEALTH. 

Bacteriologists claim that germs are the cause of dis- 
ease. The author denies that claim, and in support of 
his position wishes first, to 'consider: 

What is a Germ? 

All material suhstance is called matter. There are 
different kinds of matter, animal, mineral, vegetable, 
gaseous, etc. All living matter is composed of little 
particles called cells, built one upon another. 

Although microscopic in size, cells are composed of 
-different elements in the form of a gelatinous substance 
called protoplasm. ;N"o thing is known regarding the 
chemistry of a cell, or how it is that the elementary 
jDarticles are led to assume the form of a cell. Most 
•cells are about eighty per cent water and twenty per 
-cent solid matter. Embedded in the protoplasm of the 
c-ell is a small body called the nucleus. The nucleus 
is the center from which intelligence is directed. 

A cell, any cell, may be compared to a seed. A cell 
grows, divides and multiplies in favorable surround- 
ings, a seed does the same. "A cell is the smallest ele- 
ment of an organized body capable of independent mo- 
tion.^' It is the primary element or unit that germin- 
ates into a thing or being. According to the present 
teaching, a germ is a vegetable cell, while an animal 
cell is not a germ, yet a living animal cell is really just 
as much a germ as a vegetable cell. 

Any cell that is capable of reproduction may be 
called a germ; the term cannot be confined to those 
cells or germs which are found in the body during dis- 
ease, and wliich take no part in the body structure. 



GERMS. 15 

Cells may be called germs because they have the power 
to germinate^ grow, and develop new life. The term 
cell and germ may be nsed interchangeably. 

It is understood, of course, that an animal or vege- 
table cell and those cells floating in air and water are X,,^^ 
not alike, yet each answers to the same definition, and X. 
each may be called a germ. They differ because the 
Divine architect has assigned to each a different power 
or part in the world's economy. 

All living matter, animal or vegetable, originates in 
a single cell or germ, while vast numbers constitute the 
more developed structure, so arranged as to form the 
different organs or parts. The cells constituting the 
human body vary from one one-^hundred-and-twenty- 
fifth to one five-thousandth of an inch in diameter. As 
just explained, cells or germs are concerned in all the 
processes of life. They influence the necessary change 
in matter before its absorption into living organisms, 
and they constitute the organism after it is formed. 
To-day a cell, any cell or germ, may aid in the forma- 
tion of organic life, to-morrow it may be destroyed and 
its elements aid in the formation of a cell or germ 
which later may be found in disease. 

There are all grades and conditions of these cells or 
germs, old and young, large and small, healthy and 
unhealthy. They are continually being born and con- 
tinually dying. There is no dividing line between 
them. 

All the varied scenes in nature are caused by these ^^^^^^ 
germ cells, which are constantly changing, constantly ' '' 



16 MICEOBES AND HEALTH. 

imdergomg transformation, from one thing or being- 
to another. The result of such changes supports the 
living and reduces the dead. It liberates the elements 
after life is extinct, thus permitting them to again 
enter into active form. This is but a process of fer- 
mentation; it is a chemical change where something- 
new is being produced. All changes that take place 
in organic matter are through the medium of these 
little germ cells; other changes are produced by chem- 
icals, but with these we have little to do except for 
mechanical purposes. 

The soil is the great medium of exchange through 
which minerals or chemicals find their way into organic 
structures, first supplying the various plant foods, and 
from them to the animal. The changes produced by 
chemicals, like those produced by the germ cells, are 
also a process of fermentation. 

Ferraentation. 

To get a better understanding of fermentation, it 
may be stated that fermentation is the splitting up,, 
or separating the parts or elements of a substance, 
any substance, and the formation of new ones. These 
changes are taking place constantly both in the animal 
and in the vegetable kingdoms, and even the granite 
rock falls and crumbles to dust. "Throughout all na- 
ture there is a ceaseless change. The water we drink 
and the food we eat have been used thousands of times 
before, and will again pass on in their endless round 
to develop other forms and new life. We are but parts 
of a great system, and the elements we use are not our 



GER3IS. 17 

own, for in natnre all is common. Those elements 
of which onr bodies are formed a few months ago may 
have waved in the forest tree, or in the field as grain, 
may have frozen on Arctic snows, bleached on torrid 
plains, beautified the poet's brain, or become beef on 
the butcher's block, to strengthen the blacksmith's. 
arm/' All this is but a process of fermentation. 

A plant selects and absorbs certain elements from 
the soil, reforms and fits them into a part of its own 
strnctnre; dead or inert matter becomes living matter; 
that is fermentation, and is produced by the little 
germ cells which constitute the plant. By the action 
of certain germ cells, a dead body is decomposed; the 
complex organism is reduced to simpler forms or ele- 
ments ; that is fermentation, though putrefaction is the 
term usually applied to fermentation of dead matter, 
but this, too, is caused by these little germ cells. 

Examining these changes more closely it may be 
stated that a seed, any seed, consists essentially of two 
substances, starch and gluten, in which is contained a 
little germ cell. Both the starch and gluten are in- 
soluble in water, yet both are needed to support the 
germ cell in its process of development, and through 
the medium of the warm moist earth, nature has pro- 
vided that a chemical change shall take place. The 
gluten is first converted into a substance called diastase, 
and the diastase has the power of converting the starch 
into glucose or grape sugar; and as the change con- 
tinues the sugar breaks up into alcohol, carbonic acid 
gas and water, which aid in supplying nourishment 
until the little germ, through a process of division, can 



18 MICROBES AXD HEALTH. 

reach down into the earth and form a root, after which 
it is able to care for itself. This change is but a pro- 
cess of fermentation. We see something new has been 
produced. The glnten is converted into diastase and 
the starch into alcohol, and a germ cell has developed 
into a plant or tree. Undoubtedly there are other germ 
cells in the soil which, acting as a ferment, aid in the 
process by producing certain changes in such elements 
of the soil as are needed to nourish the plant. These 
dianges render the elements in a condition to be more 
readily taken up by the plant tissues. 

In the Washington Times of January 27, 1901, that 
^eminent authority. Dr. William Osier, M. D., F. R. S., 
professor of medicine in the Johns Hopkins University, 
Baltimore, says : 

"Quite astonishing is the discovery that within the 
knobs of peas and beans live bacteria which by split- 
ting up mineral salts containing nitrogen and by ab- 
sorbing nitrogen from the air, give it over to the plant 
so that it is enabled to grow luxuriantly whereas, Avith- 
out their presence the tiller of the soil might fertilize 
the soil in vain. It is quite possible that not alone 
peas and beans, but all grasses, plants and trees de- 
pend upon the presence of such germs for their very 
existance, which in turn supply man and animals with 
their means of existance. Hence we see that these 
nitrifying bacteria, as they are called, if swept out of 
existance, would be the cause of cessation of all life 
upon the globe. And arguing backward, one promi- 
nent authority states it as his belief that the first of 
all life on this earth were those lowly forms of plants 



GEEMS. 19 

(cells or germs) which only recjuirecl the nitrogen of 
the air or the salts to enable them to multiply" (Dar- 
win^s theory). 

Dr. Osier also says : "The stndy of the life of these 
diminutive plants (germs) excites the wonder of those 
who make observations upon them. It is truly marvel- 
ous to know that these bacteria can accomplish in their 
short lives of possibly a few hours or days, feats which 
would baffle the cleverest of chemists if given years of 
a lifetime to work upon. 

"They give to the farmer the good quality of his 
crops, to the dairyman superior butter and cheese ; they 
assist in a large measure in freeing our rivers and lakes 
of harmful pollution.^' 

In bread baking the same changes take place as that 
described in the growth of the seed. Flour consists 
mostly of gluten and starch, with a little w^ater and 
sugar. In making bread, yeast is generally added, and 
this takes the place of the diastase in the seed. Yeast 
converts the sugar into alcohol, carbonic acid gas and 
water. It also acts upon the starch and converts some 
of it into sugar, so that the per cent of sugar remains 
about the same. There is a loss of about five per cent 
of starch. When milk emptyings are used, there is 
first a mixture of milk and flour; this kept at blood 
heat rapidly develops yeast and the result is the same. 
In baking bread the alcohol and some of the water 
evaporate, and the carbonic acid gas in its efforts to 
escape lifts or raises the tenacious dough, and thus the 
bread becomes light. Bread that is well baked still 
contains forty-five per cent of water. 



20 MICEOBES AXD HEALTH. 

In bread baking in London, alone, in the year 1858, 
it was estimated that over three hundred thousand gal- 
lons of alcohol were evolved and lost. 

Some restrict and confine fermentation to the de- 
composition of non-proteid substances; i. e., those not 
containing albnmen. Starch and sugar are examples. 
These differ from grain and flour as they have no power 
within themselves to undergo change, but must be in- 
fluenced by another substance, and this other substance 
is called a ferment. Yeast, already mentioned, is an 
example of ferment with which all are familiar. 
Yeast was employed as "leaven^^ as early as the year 
1892 B. C. The absence of yeast or leaven constituted 
the peculiarity of the bread used at the passover, B. C. 
1491. Yeast is composed of living organisms in the 
form of little cells or germs, about one three-thou- 
sandth of an inch in diameter. They are germs just 
as much as the so called germs found in disease. Both 
are vegetable organisms and under the proper condi- 
tions of heat and moisture manifest life and produce 
fermentation. 

The tissue-change going on in the human body, re- 
pair and waste, is a process of fermentation, and is 
carried on through the influence of the little germ cells 
of which the body is formed. It is sometimes called 
oxidation, because the red blood-corpuscles or cells 
which float in the blood-stream in great numbers, in 
their passage through the lungs, absorb oxygen from 
the air we breathe, and through the circulation it is 
carried to all parts of the body, and absorbed by the 
cells, which constitute the different organs and tissues. 



GERMS. 21 

This aids in giving life, force and energy: aids in the 
tissue-change, and in the production of heat. 

The sonring of milk is another example of fermenta- 
tion. Milk contains ahont fonr per cent of caseim or 
milk-albnmin : this is held in solution by a trace of 
alkaline salt, and is quickly precipated by the addition 
of an acid. The germs Trhich are floating through the 
-air and vrhich are everprhere present, inhabit the milk 
and produce the acid by converting the lactose, or 
milk-sugar into lactic acid. This precipitates the 
casein, or milk- albumin, in the form of curd. It is 
from this curd that cheese is made. It also contains 
the fat from which butter is made. If it is not all 
worked out of butter it furnishes nourishment for 
other cell-germs, and these, acting as a ferment, pro- 
duce butyric and other acids, which make butter rancid. 

In bread baking, yeast-cells acted as the ferment 
and converted the starch into alcohol and carbonic acid. 
In the souring of milk, other cells floating through 
the air acted as a ferment and converted the lactose or 
milk-sugar into lactic acid. So also when some cells 
or tissues in the himian body die from lack of nourish- 
ment, as in disease, germ cells that are floating in 
the air and which inhabit the human system act as a 
ferment, and by their power to produce change they 
convert such dead tissue into gases, pus, etc., so that 
it may be discharged and the system relieved. This is 
a wise provision and a natural law, but the bacteri- 
ologists claim that these germs are the cause of nearly 
all suffering, disease and death. They forget that dis- 
ease is caused bv the accumulation of waste matter in 



22 MICROBES AND HEALTH. 

the system. This accumnlation of waste results from 
indigestion and lack of elimination. The waste acts 
as a poison and disease follows. 

There are no poisons known in the realm of bacter- 
iology to compare with the natural waste of the human 
body. If a healthy man was compelled to breathe the 
poisonous carbonic acid given off from his own lungs^, 
death would be almost instantaneous. Urea eliminated 
by the kidneys^ if retained, would cause death in a few 
hours, yet the bacteriologist would have us believe that 
the only danger is to be found in their so called germs. 

All these changes and these poisons are the results 
or effects of natural law. The carbonic acid given off 
by the lungs is taken up by the vegetable kingdom, and 
the ox3'gen given off by the vegetable kingdom is taken 
up by the lungs. In both cases the change is pro- 
duced by little germ cells of which the structures are 
formed, and while these changes are taking place in liv- 
ing matter, other germs influence changes in dead mat- 
ter, and the elements of dead tissue are given back 
to support the living. Germs were created for this 
purpose. This is self evident, otherwise they would 
not be everywhere present and would not have the 
power to produce fermentation, but nature foresaw and 
prepared to meet these changes, hence the power of the 
human system to destroy germs and eliminate poisons. 
As germs are the primary forms of all living matter, 
they may be compared to a seed, as already mentioned. 
If all germ life should be destroyed, all the higher- 
forms of life would cease to exist, all animal and 
vegetable life Avould rapidly pass away, perish, and 



GERMS. 23 

soou there "svould not be a living thing to inhabit the 
earth. 

The so called germs may be subjected to great ex- 
tremes of heat and cold, and afterwards will grow vig- 
orously in favorable surroundings. So also a seed is 
capable of resisting great extremes of dr}' heat and 
cold, and will afterwards grow vigorously in favorable 
surroundings, for nature had designed that both shall 
live. Moist heat, as boiling water, will destroy germs; 
it will also destroy a seed, but nature does not furnish 
boiling water or any other form of moist heat. Germs 
are not active and do not multiply when exposed to 
great extremes of heat and cold; a seed is not active 
and will not grow under these conditions. 

Where did germs come from? They are the pri- 
mar}^ forms of all living matter, hence we may inquire 
where matter came from. 

How do germs produce fermentation ? They furnish 
an enzym or ferment which has the power of separa- 
ting the elements of dead tissue; i. e., the power of pro- 
ducing fermentation, the same as the yeast cells in 
bread baking. The attraction which naturally exists 
between all forms of matter is strongest in the living, 
hence the power of living germs to absorb nourishment 
by attracting the elements of dead germs or dead mat- 
ter. Tliis is called "vital force,'' and it is by reason 
of such forces, attraction and repulsion, that such a 
torrent of ceaseless changes is made possible. These 
changes support the living by liberating the elements 
of the dead. It is by this plan, and throttgh the me- 
dium of these little o-erms. that the Divine Intelli- 



24 MICROBES Ais'D HEALTH. 

gence carries on the great system of the universe, and 
it is for this reason that germs are everywhere present. 
Earth, air and water are filled with them. So ,is the hu- 
man body, and if throngh accident, injury or inflam- 
niatiom the brain, heart, kings or other organs become 
diseased, and throngh the effects of snch disease there 
.■are some cells or tissnes destroyed, germs are present 
to aid in liberating snch tissue, and they do this by 
their power to produce fermentation. This separates 
the elements or component parts that they may be 
eliminated, so that each may add its mite in the pro- 
duction or formation of something new. N'owhere in 
the field of nature is there room for indolence or idle- 
ness. 

These brief illustrations are given, not for the pur- 
pose of defining fermentation, but to remind the reader 
that all changes in life or after death are caused by 
these little germ cells. Some draw dividing lines, 
make separations, and teach a difference between oxi- 
dation, fermentation and putrefaction, yet there is no 
difference. It is one continual change, and every ele- 
ment in nature is ever active in doing its part, and all 
vdepend upon the lower forms of life, working to pro- 
duce the higher. In a word, the whole process of evo- 
lution is carried on by these little germ cells. They 
are the medium through which all nature has been 
produced, and it would be unreasonable to believe that 
the Creative Power had so mistaken His plans as to 
have this medium destructive to man. 

Many people believe in evolution; that is, that all 



GERMS. 25 

forms of life have been and are being derived by the 
gradual modification of earlier forms. This theory 
also tells ns that all living matter is composed of little 
cells or germs. It also assumes that there is a God 
back of all, working ont results along unalterable lines 
of natural law, and this is certainly true to some ex- 
tent, for no one will deny that all structures, animal 
or vegetable, and that the bodies of every human being 
are formed of minute organisms called cells as briefly 
described, and that it is by a division and multiplica- 
tion of such cells that every structure is built. In 
man, beginning as a single parent cell, it divides and 
reforms, ever tending from the lower to the higher, 
until the central nervous system is complete. 

According to this teaching, any variety of organic 
matter so situated as to develop special organs will 
outlive other varieties, because "in union there is 
strength.'^ This is Charles Darwin's "Xatural Selec- 
tion,'' and Herbert Spencer's "Survival of the Fittest.'' 

Nature has designed that the cells constituting the 
human body should overcome all others because ihe 
human body is the highest type of organic structure, 
and to stop short of the highest would be a mistake, 
and nature does not make mistakes. 

According to' the bacteriologists but very few of these 
so called germs are poisonous. They admit that of the 
countless millions present on ever}' hand only five or 
six varieties are dangerous, yet these half dozen inno- 
cent and defenseless germs are used as a basis from 
which volumes have been written, Thev are a nucleus 



26 MICKOBES AND HEALTH. 



from whose center there has radiated leucomaiiies* 
23tomams, trouble, anxiet}^, visions, worry, fright, inf ec~ 
tion, contagion, sickness, disease and death. 

Germs do not signify so much after all. Their pres- 
ence or absence amounts to little, except to those who 
preside with tireless and sleepless watchfulness over the 
test tubes and incubators. 

It has been stated that a germ is only a vegetable 
cell; that the term cell and germ may be used inter- 
changeably, yet because the word germ has become so 
fixed in the public mind, the term will be used in the 
succeeding pages of this chapter. 

While germs cannot affect healthy tissue, they can 
and do affect tissue that is destroyed by disease, be- 
cause if such tissue were allowed to remain in the sys- 
tem it would act as an irritant like any other foreign 
body. Again, such tissue is of no further use in the 
system, and so according to the changes that take place 
everywhere, this one is made through the medium of 
germs. Their influence separates the elements of the 
dead tissue, some in the form of gases, while some 
liquefies in the form of pus. This is nature's plan to 
aid in elimination. If in the lungs, some may be 
expectorated; if in other parts, an abscess may form. 
The surgeon completes his operation, and sews up the 
Avound. A few days later an abscess is discovered fol- 
lowing one of the stitches. This is called a stitch 
abscess. Then the surgeon concludes that the sutures 
used were not sterile, or that some of his assistants did 
not have their hands thorouo-hlv disinfected. 



GERMS. 27 

The abscess ^vas not caused by germs^ but the systent 
of the patient was unhealthy. There was some irri- 
tating substance in the circulation^ resulting from re- 
tained waste or imperfect digestion, and the irritation 
would naturall}' produce the greatest effect wherever 
there was least resistance. Eesistance was least where 
the wound was made, because the tissues were weak- 
ened by the operation. The irritation was greater 
than the weakened cells could stand, and the}' were de- 
stroyed. The germs which are always present acting- 
upon these dead cells, produced fermentation and the 
dead tissue was converted into pus, hence the abscess. 

The disinfectants or antiseptics referred to could not 
have prevented the stitch abscess, and the level-headed 
surgeon understands that if antiseptics were used 
strong enough to destroy all the surrounding tissue,- 
many germs would still remain vigorous, because they 
were designed to resist disinfectants, acids, alkalies, 
heat, cold, etc. Animal tissue was not, because it never 
comes in contact with them except by accident, but 
animal tissue was designed to resist germs because 
germs are present always, and it is well known that 
healthy tissue can destroy germs with the greatest 
ease. A few years ago, bacteriologists fiuslied the 
healthiest wounds with antiseptics. To-day, they have 
so modified their practice as to restrict all antiseptics 
in non-infected wounds. Bacteriologists tell us about 
aseptic operations; i. e., operations free from germs; 
operations in which germ action is entirely excluded, 
5'-et this is impossible, for the dressings may be boiled 
and baked, and the operator hooded and masked, yet 



■28 MICKOBES AXD HEALTH. 

the atmosphere will clef}' him and germs enter the 
wound just the same. While it is trne that cleanli- 
ness is necessary within the bounds of reason and com- 
mon sense, it is also true that there is nothing more 
silly than scrubbing with chemicals, acids and alkalies, 
boiling bandages, instruments, appliances, etc. This 
practice is carried to such extremes in some cases that 
the operator becomes an object of pity. 

The question may be asked, if germs do not cause 
disease why use antiseptics ? Animal tissue contains 
oxygen, carbon, nitrogen, sulphur, phosphorus, hydro- 
gen, etc., and after death the fermentation or change 
produced by germ action separates these elements and 
the ox3-gen unites with the carbon to form carbonic 
:acid, while the hydrogen divides itself between the 
nitrogen, sulphur and phosj)horus and forms ammonia 
with sulphurated and phosphurated hydrogen. These 
gases give offensive odor. These substances are irri- 
tating. Such irritating matter always results from 
decomposing animal tissue, and is injurious to the sur- 
rounding structures. A purulent or unhealthy wound 
contains these organic poisons, corrosive substances and 
poisonous gases, and it is these acrid substances that 
:are dangerous. Antiseptics are valuable because they 
-antagonize the action of this decomposing matter, and 
thus reinforce healthy tissue and bring about whole- 
some influences to the structures that are yet sound. 

With the disappearance of the dead and dying tissue 
the germs disappear also, not because the antiseptics 
have destroyed them, but because their food supply or 
nourishment is gone and they cannot live in health}' 



GEEMS. 2^' 

tissue. In most cases the natural resistance is suffici- 
ent to resist the morbid influences of iDutrefaction, but 
the reinforcement furnished by the antiseptics aids in 
bringing about favorable results at an earlier date. 

Germs do not cause disease, and if they ever carry 
infection or poison from a diseased body, the}" act 
simply as a medium; i. e., having been in contact with 
diseased tissue they may carry disease the same as a- 
dirty towel or dirty instrument. 

As stated, germs in varying numbers and all varie- 
ties inhabit earth, air and water, except upon high- 
mountains, above the line of perpetual snow, or on mid- 
ocean far away from land and ship. The air which 
surrounds high mountain peaks, or on mid-ocean, con- 
tains no life, hence nature does not concentrate her- 
forces at these points. This is another evidence of the 
economy of nature. 

But germs are found wherever life is found. The 
air we breathe is swarming Avith germs ; so is the water 
we drink; so is the soil upon which we tread. They 
cover all objects exposed to air; they may be found 
everywhere upon the surface of the human body; they 
inhabit all mucous membrane that is exposed to air. 
The mouth, stomach, digestive tract and the air-tubes 
of the lungs, all contain, germs. It cannot be other- 
wise for they are taken in with every breath, but nature- 
has provided for this by rendering the fluids of" the- 
body capable of destroying germ life. 

Can germs overcome animal tissue and produce dis- 
ease? The thought needs no argument. If germs 
could overcome animal tissue the human race would 



30 MICROBES X^T> HEALTH. 

soon be swept from the face of the earth. Germs that 
have been subjected to a temperature of two hundred 
and forty-eight degrees F. below zero by means of liquid 
air have afterwards been found to grow vigorously at 
a favorable temperature. Germs will also resist dry 
lieat at a temperature of three hundred and two degrees 
F. above zero. This is two hundred and sixteen de- 
grees below freezing and ninety degrees higher than 
boiling water. This statement comes from the bac- 
teriologists themselves, and may be proven by anyone 
who cares to make the experiment. 

Does not their power to resist antiseptics, to resist 
such extremes of heat and cold, their universal pres- 
ence and. power to produce fermentation, prove them 
the medium through which all organic progress has 
been made? While the poor deluded germ-doctor is 
taking the life of one innocent germ, there are one 
hundred million swarming about his head. . 

I have endeavored to explain in a brief, practical 
way the relation which germs bear to the material 
world, and to the human race. 
fC 'Now let us listen to the bacteriologists, men who, 

'^ since the beginning of the germ theory — almost thirty 

years ago — have been studying germs, raising germs in 
test tubes and incubators, and then injecting them into 
animals, that they niight have a better opportunity of 
studying their action. 

Surely they ought to know all about it. Let us see. 

' ^'- The following is taken from a leading medical jour- 

"• nal, the Alhaloidal Clinic of September, ^99. In this 

article the editors have kindlv o-iven us the views as 



GERMS. 31 

expressed by nearly thirty leading germ theorists ; those 
of this country and Europe. These distinguished bac- 
teriologists have had all the opportunities the world 
affords for studying their theories. They decided years 
ago that germs caused disease; they also decided that 
antitoxins and other preventives manufactured by 
themselves would kill the germs and cure the patient. 
The}^ decided that, if their antitoxins were taken before 
disease gained a foothold the system may be rendered 
immune; i. e., proof against attack. 

In the following article is the explanation( ?), show- 
ing how immunity is produced. They have been in the 
immunity business for half a lifetime, and it is but 
reasonable to suppose that their knowledge of germs 
and disease corresponds to their understanding of im- 
munity and its cause. 

Here are twenty-nine physicians with international 
reputations as bacteriologists tr3dng to explain how 
immunity is produced, yet no two of them agree. The 
Clinic article is not given in full, yet there are twenty- 
nine quotations giving the views of twenty-nine investi- 
gators. 

Immunity. 

^Tmmunity is due to the development of bactericidal 
products in the tissues; to a lack of nourishment in the 
tissues; to the development of nucleinic acid; to the 
exhaustion of the supply of pabulum in the body; to 
the increasing alkalinity of the blood; to alexin; to ag- 
glutinin; to immunizing agents stored up; to immuniz- 
ing agents generated on the spot. Germ invasion 



32 MICKOBES AXD HEALTH. 

arouses glandular action and the attack is quelled. 
We know little of antitoxin. Antitoxin develops from 
the body and not from the bacteria ; the problem differs 
with each organism and analogic deductions are unsafe. 
There may be other explanations. In the protoplasm 
of the toxiphoric group of cells the antitoxin is the 
normal constituent that binds the toxins which pre- 
exist in the protoplasm (AHEM!). Antitoxin is due 
to the transformation of the toxins. Sudden death 
has followed antitoxin. Antitoxin is produced by the 
bod3^-cells; animals like hens have no cells that are 
susceptible to tetanus.^' 

From this it is understood that hens do not have 
lockjaw. How about roosters? 

^^The onset of disease is due to something in the 
germ; the duration of the attack is due to something 
in the body. The toxins arouse glandular action^ 
which should quell the attack. Disease exhausts the 
supply of pabulum in the body; the agglutinin will 
cause the germs to stick together so that the alexin can 
destroy them. An emulsion of brains will cure tetanus. 
Protection exists in the blood in a negative state; is 
rendered active on demand. There is in the body 
some adjustment of forces by which pathogenic bac- 
teria are antagonized and finally disposed of. Still the 
whole subject is one of nature's tantalizing and well 
fortified secrets.'' 

Such a juggling of words would be called pure de- 
lirium if they did not eminate from those who claim to 
be authority. This claim is supposed to entitle them 
to a certain amount of respect. Let us make a prac- 



GERMS. 33 

tical application of the knowledge( ?) possessed by these 
theorizing germ-specialists. In the following imagi- 
nary conversation the quotations just given are used 
by the doctor in answering the patient : 

"Doctor, what is the canse of my sickness T' 

"In disease like yours, ^the problem differs with each 
organism and analogic deductions are unsafe: the 
whole subject is one of nature^s tantalizing and well 
fortified secrets/ '^ 

"Doctor, do you think I Avill be sick long?" 

"In this case, '^the onset is due to something in the 
germ; the duration of the attack depends upon the 
resistance of the body; the toxins arouse glandular ac- 
tion which should quell the attack/ " 

"Doctor, what is your treatment?" 

"I think the disease will ^exhaust the supply of 
pabulum in the body; the agglutinin will cause the 
bacteria to stick together and that the alexin can de- 
stroy them/ " 

"Doctor, do you use antitoxin?" 

" ^We know little of antitoxin, yet there is in the 
body some adjustment of forces by which pathogenic 
bacteria are antagonized and finally destroyed.' " 

"Doctor, do you consider antitoxin safe?" 

" ^Sudden death has followed antitoxin, yet in the 
protoplasm of the toxiphoric group of cells the anti- 
toxin is the normal constituent that binds the toxin, 
which pre-exists in the protoplasm,' " 

"Doctor, can't you use some other remedy in my 
case ?" 

" '^Yes, an emulsion of brains has the power to neu- 

3 



34 MICROBES AND HEALTH. 

tralize poison and cure disease, still is the whole sub- 
ject one of nature^s tantalizing and well fortified 
secrets/ " 

Patients are reminded that bacterioligists never fur- 
nish brains. 

Look out for the toxiphoric gTOup of cells ! 

Poultr3^-raisers should not feel too jubilant because 
their old hens are excused from lockjaw, for the 
chickens may still die of the pip. 

The bacteriologists remind us of the story of the 
stage-driver who, after receiving much praise for the 
fine appearance of one of his horses, exclaimed : "That 
*oss ain't so good as he looks; he's a scientific 'oss." 
On being asked to explain the driver said: "A scien- 
tific 'oss is one as thinks he knows a great deal more 
nor he does." 

We are also reminded of the old negro doctor who 
was fond of using long words, and who frequently used 
the word intertranssubstantiationableness. One day a 
patient said to him: "Why, doctor; you do not even 
know the meaning of that word." The old doctor re- 
plied, "PVaps not, sah; p'r'aps not; but I have noticed 
when in doubtful places, sah, that I have used that 
word with spontaneous effect." 

We have just listened to the explanation of "immu- 
nity;" now, let us listen to an explanation regarding 
the cause of influenza. Page 85, Merks' Archives for 
February, 1899, contains tlie following quotation from 
Doctor Finkler, a prominent germ theorist. Doctor 
Finkler sa3^s: "I am inclined to accept the views of 
Doctor Leichtcnstein, that there exists a pandemic 



GERMS. 35 

influence cansed by tlie Pfeiffer's bacillus, and also an 
epidemico-endemic influenza of identical nature, which 
develops after the pandemic infection has run its course, 
being caused by germs left over/'' 

Comment is unnecessary. Undoubtedly the bacter- 
iologists dislike to use so many technicalities as pre- 
sented in Doctor Finkler's explanation( ?), yet they 
find it necessary when they wish to convey a mean- 
ing(?) which no one can understand. 

Wonder what became of the germs ^'lef t over ?'' 

To get a clearer understanding of what this theoriz- 
ing germ specialist is telling us, let us remember that 
an "epidemic'^ disease is one that spreads rapidly 
through a community where it does not usually pre- 
vail: an "endemic" disease is one continually present 
in a community and dependent upon local conditions; 
a "pandemic" disease is one affecting a whole country, 
but this investigator says, in substance, that "'grip is 
a pandemic, epidemico-endemic disease," and "caused 
by germs left over." 

We can understand the boy who said he wore a 
wooden leg because it run in the family ; we can under- 
stand the noted Philadelphia doctor who instructed his 
patient to take a teaspoonful at bedtime if unable to 
sleep in water; we can understand why a bugler's note 
never comes due, but we cannot understand how the 
same germ can produce so many diseases at one and 
the same time. 

The explanation of immunity and of influenza, as 
furnished by bacteriologists, reminds us of that class 



36 MICEOBES AJs^D HEALTH. 

of gentlemen sometimes known as traveling doctors. 
When asked to explain the cause of disease they con- 
found their hearers with high-sounding words. Many 
who listen do not understand their meaning, but they 
suppose any one capable of using such language must 
be very smart. Their explanation of disease runs some- 
thing like this : 

"The only legitimate manner of accounting for this 
very rare disease is the physiological defect in the mem- 
branous system; the obtuseness of the abdominal ab- 
dicator causes the cartilaginous compressor to coagu- 
late into the diaphragm, and this depresses the duode- 
num into the flandango. Now, if the disease were 
caused by the vogatum of the electricity from the ex- 
tremities, the tympanum would also dissolve into the 
spiritual sinctum, and the olfactory ossificator would 
ferment and become identical with the pigmentum. 
But as this is not the case, in order to produce this 
disease the spinal rotundum must be elevated down to 
the spiritual spero, and as I said before, in order to 
produce this very rare disease, the inferior ligaments 
must subtend over the digitorum sufficient to disorgan- 
ize the stericoletam.^^ 

Some people believe bacteriology is a powerful aid 
in preventing as well as curing disease. Let us in- 
quire what the germ-specialists are doing for diseased 
humanity any way? Have they helped mankind to 
fight disease? Have they conquered the germ? If 
disease less malignant? 

For twenty-five years bacteriologists have been rais- 
ing germs in little s^lass tubes, and after they had them 



GEEMS. 37 

started they began to deluge them with corrosive sub- 
limate solution^ carbolic acid solution and all other 
known disinfectants. They froze them^ dried them, 
and through their influence the country has spent 
millions of dollars to check their growth and toxicity. 

Did they succeed? 

"We are surrounded by bacteriologists and quarantine 
officials^ and by them the confines of civilization are 
marked off with a line of formaldehyde^ and the four 
corners of Christendom are stacked with barrels of 
carbolic acid^ and into these we must be dipped before 
we can enter the aseptic realm of the bacteriological 
field. And as we enter the holy of holies we remember 
the germs we leave behind are in duplicate quadrillions 
in every swamp^ frog-pond and alley. 

The records show that just as many people, or just 
as many sick people, die now with disease — any dis- 
ease — as twenty-five years ago. Out of a given number 
of cases of pneumonia, consumption, diphtheria or any 
other disease, just as many people die now as before the 
germ theory. A man dying of consumption to-day, 
and ignorant of the germ theory, would not die one 
day sooner, or if he knew all about the germ theory he 
would not live one day longer. Bacteriology does not 
help the consumptive to breathe any deeper, to digest 
his food any better, to sleep any better, or cough any 
less. 

In any city may be found the number of deaths each 
month in the year. These records may show that 
deaths from certain diseases are becoming gradually 
less, but the death-rate among a given number of sick 



38 MICROBES AND HEALTH. 

people is as large as before; the death-rate among the 
whole population is less, because fewer people are sick. 
Why are fewer people sick? Because there are more 
sewers in the towns and cities, less filth in the alleys, 
more attention paid to ventilation; becanse contagious 
swamps, lowlands and frog-ponds have been cleared 
up, and an air of general cleanliness pervades many 
localities that in former years were dumping grounds 
for all kinds of filth. In a word, because of the advance 
in hygienic science for which bacteriology can claim no 
credit. 

Epidemics that swept away large percentages of the 
population in earlier years are practically exterminated, 
not by the bacteriologist, but for the reasons just given 
and because fields have been cultivated, thus exposing 
unhealthy soil to the purifying effects of the atmo- 
sphere and the sun's rays. Again, people are better 
fed and better clothed, hence better able to resist. 

These are the reasons that fewer people are sick, 
and these are conditions with which bacteriology has 
had nothing to do, absolutely nothing. Banish dirt 
and disease disappears. Havana and Santiago had for 
years been pest holes for yellow fever, but when Amer- 
icans went over and carried away the heaps of ancient 
rubbish, and emptied the overflowing cess pools, yellow 
fever vanished. 

Influenza, or grip, is present in different parts of the 
country nearly all the year round. We do not fear it 
as we do diphtheria, smallpox or cholera because it 
seldom causes death directly, yet disease resulting from 
it, pneumonia, bronchitis, consumption, etc., causes 



GEEMS. dy 

more deaths than any and all epidemics. In this dis- 
ease as in many others the bacteriologists have traced 
the germ throughout; they have raised millions of 
them; they have observed their death-strnggles in their 
patent serums or antitoxins, yet all understand that 
the applied teachings of bacteriolog}' will not cure the 
grip, neither will it cure typhoid fever, diphtheria, con- 
sumption or hiccough. When virulent cases are met the 
physician of experience will seek the cause in the sani- 
tary condition of the premises and not in the species 
of germs or other microbes revealed by the microscope. 

One large patent medicine company, taking advan- 
tage of the germ theories, says: "The germs lie in 
wait for human life on every side. Twenty per cent of 
the dairy cows of the United States are tuberculous, 
and the averas^e o-rade of milk sold in larg-e cities con- 
tains as high as eighty million germs in a cubic inch. 
These facts are appalling. The very existence of the 
human race seems threatened. So fast indeed are new 
parasites being produced that were not science con- 
stantly elaborating counter checks our boasted civiliza- 
tion would soon come to the end of its tether. One of 
the greatest cotmter checks to disease is our remedies,*' 
etc. 

First, this wide-awake patent medicine firm would 
make it appear that there are eighty million so called 
consumptive germs to each cubic inch of milk. Milk 
may contain millions of germs, whether they are the 
so called consumptive germ or not, makes little differ- 
ence. The water we drink contains millions of germs 
also. So does the air we breathe and the food we eat. 



40 MICROBES AND HEALTH. 

After covering nearly half a page in a large newspaper^ 
this startling advertising firm states that their remedies 
"make the body practically impregnable against dis- 
ease.'^ Then follow personal letters from many, who 
"owe their lives to this wonderful medicine;" others 
"thank God for their deliverance/' etc. N"o wonder 
people are sick! 

This wide-awake patent medicine firm has nsed bac- 
teriology as a means for securing financial returns and 
as a means of support while sending out their delusive 
advertisements. 

Such talk only causes a morbid fascination, a fear 
which lowers the powers of resistance and is a factor 
in spreading disease. An unhealthy imagination is 
undoubtedly the starting point of many diseases. Al- 
though some of these diseases remind us of the man 
who, when asked why he did not work, said his wife 
had been studying the health journal and that she had 
concluded that he had a tendency to softening of the 
brain with complicated symptoms of Bright's disease, 
palpitation of the heart, inflammation of the lungs, 
cremation of the spleen, indignation of the esophagus, 
hypertrophy of the palate, distant symptoms of liver 
complaint and some internal evidence of paralysis. 
Eesides that the man claimed he was not feeling well. 

The bacteriologists have surrounded us with so many 
perils that suicide would seem our only means of escape. 
According to them it is not safe to breathe for fear of 
taking in the tubercular germ, or to eat or drink for 
fear of taking. in the typhoid germ, while kissing your 



GERMS. 41 

"best girl is fraught with dangers too numerous to men- 
tion and too terrible to contemplate. A germ bulletin 
published by one of our State Boards of Health for 
August, 1899, Bulletin ISTo. 17, referring to what they 
call "Dangerous communicable disease," says that each 
one of these diseases is caused by one or more specific 
germs. 

Referring to influenza the bulletin says: "The 
presence of the germs corresponds with the course of 
the disease, and they disappear with the cessation of 
the purulent bronchial secretions.^" That is not evi- 
dence that influenza is caused by a germ, but is the 
very best evidence that it is not caused by a germ. 
While the mucous membrane was inflamed there was 
more or less destruction of tissue, and it was necessary 
that such tissue be reduced and eliminated, and germs 
were present for that purpose. By their power to pro- 
duce fermentation they formed the "purulent" matter, 
but as soon as the mucous membrane returned to 
health the germs were expelled without ceremony. 

Again, the germ bulletin says: "Only tipon apes 
and rabbits have inoculation experiments with this 
germ been successful in producing symptoms of the 
disease." Here, again, after inoculation; i. e., injecting 
the germs beneath the skin and into the system, they 
could not produce the disease, and even in "'apes and 
rabbits" they could only produce "symptoms." That 
ought to satisfy the most sensitive mind. "'Only upon 
apes and rabbits." A man may and sometimes does 
make a monkey of himself, but there is no evidence 



43 MICROBES AND HEALTH. 

that he ever degenerated to the ape famity. Thanks 
to bacteriology for saving ns from the ravages of at 
least one germ. 

The bulletin enumerates four different germs^, any 
one of which may cause pneumonia. The solution of 
this is very simple. Different germs may be found in 
the lungs during an attack of pneumonia, having been 
conveyed there by respiration. The bulletin says: 
"While there is a general consensus of opinion among 
investigators that the germ diplococcus intracellular is 
meningitis is usually the specific cause of cerebro- 
spinal meningitis, there is abundant evidence to show 
that the germ of pneumonia is frequently responsible 
for this disease." First, they tell us that any one of 
four germs may cause pneumonia, then they add one 
more, making five, any one of which may cause cerebro- 
spinal meningitis, but the solution is the same as the 
one just given. 

The different germs pass from the mouth into the 
stomach, and when the stomach is unhealthy some 
germs find their way into the circulation, and during 
cerebrospinal meningitis, which is inflammation of the 
membrane, covering the brain and spinal cord, some 
germs lodge in that part of the membrane destroyed 
by disease. They have had nothing to do with pro- 
ducing the disease, and their numbers will depend upon 
the amount of tissue the inflammation destroys. If 
they could have produced disease they would not have 
waited until they reached the brain. 

Green's Pathology says, page 428, that the so called 
pneumonia germ has been found in ulceration of the 



GERMS. 43- 

delicate membrane which lines the heart cavities (ul- 
cerative endocarditis), yet bacteriologists do not pre- 
tend the germs caused the disease. How did it get 
there? The same as in meningitis, inflammation had 
destroyed some of the membrane lining the heart- 
cavities and the germs lodged in this dead and dyiiig^ 
tissne. 

The bulletin quoted says: "Extensive observations 
in the morgues of large cities prove that even a large 
proportion of persons dead from other causes have re- 
covered from consumption/' More or less of the dis- 
charges from the lungs of a consumptive are swallowed. 
It is impossible to prevent it. This gives the so called 
consumptive germ the freedom of the stomach and 
entire digestive tract, yet bacteriologists tell us, "A 
large proportion of persons dead from other causes 
have recovered from consumption.'^ This is an im- 
portant admission, only because it comes from the bac- 
teriologists. 

Every bacteriologist understands that the human 
saliva or secretions of the mouth offer an excellent, if 
not the best, field for the growth and development of 
all forms of germs. The moisture, food, salts and 
warmth are adapted to their growth, and as a result 
every germ known to bacteriology may be and is found 
in the mouth at all times. The so called germs of 
pneumonia, consumption, typhoid and others are pres- 
ent in varying numbers. It is the action of germs that 
causes the teeth to decay. The constant changes pro- 
duced by germs result in a mild form of fermentation 
as already explained. Xew substances are produced 



44 MICROBES AND HEALTH. 

mostly acids, as in the souring of milk. These acids 
nnite with the calcium or lime of which the teeth are 
formed and little by little the teeth are destroyed. 
Thousands of germs find their way from the mouth 
into the air-passages, stomach, etc., and when the sys- 
tem is unhealthy many enter the circulation. That 
is why so many can be found in the lungs in pneu- 
monia and grip. 

An article appearing on page 184 of the PJiysician 
and Surgeon for April, 1900, contains the following 
under the head of influenza: In this disease ^^bacteri- 
ologists may find present in the lungs, throat and 
sputum, respectively, the pneumonia germ, tubercular 
■germ and diphtheria germ, but on closest inspection 
and investigation fail to find present the diseases at- 
tributed to these germs.^^ 

Germs are continually being carried downward by 
the act of swallowing, and if they live in the system 
long enough to reach tissue that has been destroyed by 
Kiisease they lodge in such tissue and reduce it. In the 
system as well as out germs are the medium by which 
Tiature reduces dead matter, by which the dead is made 
"to support the living, and all the theories bacteriology 
•can advance will neither change or improve this plan. 

The Physician and Surgeon for December, 1899, con- 
tains an article under the head of consumption, in 
which it states that "certain forms of this infection 
(consumption) occur in which no tubercular bacillus 
can be found, and these cases have come to be recognized 
:as cases of pseudo tuberculosis." 



CxERMS. 45^ 

These cases are not "false." The reason germs are- 
not present in the diseased tissne is that, notwith- 
standing the* man has consumption, there still remains 
sufficient vitality to overcome germ-life before they 
reach the diseased lung. In snch cases germs wonld 
be absent. 

Bacteriologists cannot produce the slightest evidence- 
that germs cause disease in man. They can produce 
theory and that is all. Even Green's Pathology, while 
it supports bacteriology, sa3^s (page 272): "Germs are 
believed to produce the infective diseases." Under- 
consumption (page 358) this same standard authorit}^ 
says: "Fatty changes, caseation, etc., are probably 
due to germs." Depend upon such evidence in court 
and see how quickly you lose your case. 

It has just been stated that bacteriologists can only- 
produce theory, and following is the definition of dis- 
ease as taught by one of the leading medical colleges: 
"An infectious disease is one in which a pathogenic- 
germ enters the bod}^, grows, multiplies and produces 
poisons that directly cause disease, hence no disease is 
infectious that is not a germ-disease. Therefore, every 
infectious disease points directly to a germ, whether a 
germ has been found or not." This is only theory, and 
it is unnecessary to add that if bacteriologists could 
teach something better than theory they would do so. 

Many who accept the germ theories do so without 
thought or study. The self-constituted leaders tell 
them they have made such and such discoveries, and 
their followers, supposing the statements to be true,. 



46 MICROBES AND HEALTH. 

quietly accept and pass on. The writer understands 
that there are many bacteriologists who will laugh at 
any statements made against their theories; against 
their discoveries ( ?), or against their experiments;, which 
are made upon guinea pigs^ rabbits^, Algerian rats, yel- 
low dogs, etc., which have been deprived of their lib- 
erty, cooped up in a cage, packed away in some garret, 
foul-smelling laboratory, or half starved for the occa- 
sion. After inoculating the animals just mentioned 
the operators, more or less fatigued, sit manfully by 
and watch the flickering pulse while life goes out. The 
reader should remember that it is only after experi- 
ments like these that bacteriologists are enabled to fight 
disease intelligently. The bacteriologists obtain all 
their theories by experiments upon the lower animals, 
yet such experiments amount to nothing, absolutely 
nothing. 

In the Physician and Surgeon for June, 1900, page 
272, it is shown that "guinea pigs can be rendered 
tuberculous by inoculating them with pus from various 
sources, pieces of thread charged with vaccine lymph, 
putrid muscle, or after introducing a clean seton of 
unbleached cotton; nay, even giving a guinea pig a 
brisk pinch in the flank has been known to produce 
the same results" — tuberculosis. And yet the bacter- 
iologist claims tuberculosis cannot be produced without 
the tubercle bacilli. 

The article Just mentioned is supported by many 
leading authorities. Green's Pathology, page 363, 
states that tuberculosis may be produced in animals by 
the irritation of setons of vaccine, bits of cork or paper. 



GERxMS. 47 

Dr. Evans states that by making single incisions in 
pigs they afterwards perished of abscess at the 
seat of injnr}'^ and miliar}' tuberculosis in the various 
organs. 

Guinea pigs are said to be one hundred times as sus- 
ceptible to disease as man, hence it is plainly evident 
that experiments upon such animals amount to nothing 
unless it is to add to the false theories which bacteri- 
ology is continually sending forth. Laboratory experi- 
ments have nothing to do with disease in man. There 
never was an animal inoculated or experimented upon 
without having its powers of resistance or vitality 
lowered through fear, and also by its unnatural sur- 
roundings ; for now it is a prisoner, its spirit of freedom 
is replaced by one of subjection. 

"The grey forest eagle — Oli! where has he fled? 
Does he shrink to his eyrie, shiv'ring with dread? 
Does the lightning blind his eye? Has the terrible blast 
O'er the wing of the Sky-king a fear-fetter east? 
Ah! No, No; the brave eagle thinks not of flight; 
The wa'ath of the tempest but rouses delight. 
To the flash of the lightning his eye casts a gleam; 
To the shriek of the wild blast he echoes a scream. 
With front like a warrior spread to the fray, 
With clapping of pinions he's up and away. 
Aye, Away! Away soars the fearless and free; 
Reckless of sky-strife, its monarch is he. 
The lightning darts round him— undaunted his flight; 
Still upward, high upward, he wiieels, 'till his form 
Is lost in the black, scowling gloom of the storm." 

Imprison this same bird and it may droop and die 
in a few weeks without inoculation or experiment. 



48 MICROBES AND HEALTH. 

Bacteriologists make a great many experiments upon 
birds as well as guinea pigs and other animals (man 
inchided). These experiments are worse than useless 
because they are misleading; yet, unthinking and sus- 
ceptible, legislators have been juggled into passing laws 
giving these experimenters, in the form of Health 
Boards, full power to control the intelligent physician. 

As already stated, germs are everywhere present, 
earth, air and water contain them in great numbers. 
We eat, drink and inhale millions of them daily. They 
have existed since creation began. They are most 
abundant in low places, being drawn down by gravita- 
tion, and also because there is more heat and moisture 
which favor their development. They cannot live in 
healthy animal tissue. They develop just as a seed 
develops. If they develop in the human body; the 
body was diseased before their entrance. Under the 
proper conditions germs multiply and perform their 
part in the changes going on all about us. 

Bacteriologists call the germ theory a new discover}', 
yet germs are as old as matter. Germs are nature's 
scavengers which consume corruption. They are as 
old as life, but the cause of disease remains just where 
it was before the first investigator discovered his first 
bug. By studying germs we can no more understand 
the cause of disease than we can understand an elephant 
by studying the flea which lights on its ear. 

In a certain disease one kind of a germ is found, and 
in another disease another kind of a germ is found, 
and so bacteriologists tell us these different diseases 
are caused by the diffent germs. Is that true? 'No. 



GEEMS. 49 

the different germs are found in tlie different diseases 
because of tlie different variety of nourishment pro- 
vided. This nourishment ma}^ be the accumulation in 
the S3^stem of natural waste products, or may include 
tissue that has been destroyed by disease. Through 
the circulation the same kind of food is carried to the 
different cells of which the body is formed. But the 
cells do not admit all kinds of nourishment. They 
exhibit a marked selective power, hence muscle-cells 
are formed of one kind of matter, bone-cells of an- 
other^ liver-cells of another, and those of the central 
nervous system another, etc. Muscle-cells have the 
power of expension and contraction, giving the power 
of motion. Bone-cells are two-thirds lime salts, giv- 
ing solidity to the framework. Bone is said to be 
twice as strong as oak. The liver-cells manufacture 
bile, which aids digestion, while the brain-cells are the 
seat of reason, judgment, memory, emotion, sensation, 
pleasure, pain and all that we see, hear, enjoy or suffer. 

Why this difference ? Because each cell absorbs dif- 
ferent nourishment. It is necessary that the different 
cells select different food-elements because of their 
several duties, hence their selective power. It is also 
necessary that other cells called germs select different 
food-elements, because of their several duties. Some 
germs find such elements in diseased brain or liver tis- 
sue as in brain-disease or liver-abscess; some in dead 
and d}ring lung-tissue, as in grip, pneumonia, bronchitis 
or consumption, and some in a diseased digestive tract, 
as in typhoid fever. 

As just mentioned, these different organs and tissues 



50 MICROBES AjS'D HEALTH. 

contain different food-elements, hence when diseased 
the}" are inhabited b}- different germs. Nature did not 
design that the different germs shonld all absorb nour- 
ishment from one kind of diseased and worn out tissue 
any "more than all kinds of plant-life should absorb 
nourishment from one kind of soil, or that all animal 
life should live upon one kind of food. The result is 
perfectly natural. In each case the presence of the 
germ corresponds to a universal law; and, as already 
stated, the action of the germs separates the elements 
of the tissues destroyed by disease, and thus aids in 
elimination. 

Doctor Osier says : "The food supply of many germs 
consists of dead animal and vegetable materials, a few 
living tissues, while a small number exists wholly upon 
mineral salts, and even the nitrogen of the air." 

The germ doctors tell us that a consumptive expec- 
torates, the sputum dries and as the wind caroms 
around some corner it gathers up some of these germs 
and they go whirling through the air until they are 
inhaled by some passer-by, and then he is a "goner." 

That reminds us of the following words, which are 
said to be indelibly stamped upon the brain of every 
Californian, by reason of so many health-seeking con- 
sumptives : 

"What e'er you do, where e'er you go, 

From Golden Gate to Shasta's snow, 
^ ■' From Pablo Bay to Phoenix sands, 

O'er peak, o'er plain, through all the lands 

That form the vast Pacific slope, 

I pray you, and I truly hope 
\ That as you go from state to state 

Tou never will expectorate. 



GEEMS. 51 

I say this to you now because 
In all these parts they have made laws 
That don't allow men who are free 
To chew and spit promiscuously; 
And they have nailed up everywhere 
These words that tell us to beware 
Of laws passed by each Far West State, 
Do not, do not expectorate. 

The tourist comes out from the East, 
He brings his lungs— or one at least- 
He leans against a poplar tree, 
He coughs, and coughs so wearily, 
He chokes, and gasps, prepares to spit. 
When with these words his ear is hit— 
"See here, friend 'lunger,' don't you see 
That sign tacked there upon that tree?" 

"Can you not read the words so plain? 
You better not cough here again : 
We don't allow in this 'ere town 
No man, though white, or black, or brown, 
To cough and throw himself around 
In little chunks upon the ground; 
I'm Marshal here, and let me state. 
You better not expectorate." 

"My God, wliere can I go!" he cries, 

This tourist man with hectic eyes, 
"To death I will myself resign! 

All through your town I saw your sign, 

And crawled out here, and thought perhaps 

I could spit once 'ere I collapse; 

But here it is, as sure as fate— 

*Do not, do not expectorate.' " 

A smothered cough, a groan, and then 
(Excuse me, we are all neat men, 
The word to use it rhymes with sob) 
From the poor tourist falls a . 



52 MICROBES AN^D HEALTH. 

The marshal clubs him down the street, 
He tells the justice, whom they meet. 
The justice he don't do a thing 
But sentence him to San Quentin." 

The Physician and Surgeon contains in its March 
number of 1900, page 125, an article written by a bac- 
teriologist, in which he states : "The tubercle bacillns 
has been fonnd everywhere tnbercnlous patients move. 
What we eat, what we drink, the honses in which we 
live, the clothes we wear, the fnrnitnre, the draperies, 
the carpets covering the floor, the dnst in the streets, 
the air in the electric car, the luxurious seats of the 
palace car, the bedding of the magnificent sleeping 
coaches, the richly furnished apartments of our modern 
hotels, the modest rooms of the common boarding- 
houses, the state-rooms of our steamers, the air in the 
crowded store, public buildings, churches, assembty 
rooms, theaters, libraries, the dentist chair, the operat- 
ing tables in the hospital, the ambulance carrying the 
wounded and sick, the crowded waiting-rooms of lawyers 
and doctors, the court-room, the concert halls, the 
hospitals, all of these are liable to be infected by the 
tubercle bacillus." 

They also tell us consumption is contagious. Can 
any one reconcile the two statements ? 

Prof. Osier says the distribution of germs is well 
nigh universal, occuring as they do in the air we 
breathe, the water and milk we drink, upon the exposed 
surfaces of man and animals, and in the digestive tract, 
and in the soil to a depth of about nine feet. But it 
has been noted that at very high altitudes and in glacier 



GERMS. 53 

ice none exist, while in arctic regions and at sea far 
from land tlieir numbers are very few. 

William F. Waugli, A. M. M. D., that well known 
medical author, says in his Treatment of tlie Sick, page 
331: "During my service as medical inspector of the 
Philadelphia Board of Health I had opportunity of 
noticing the environment of many cases of infectious 
diseases, and in every case the severit}' depended on 
the hygienic conditions. Offensive cesspools leaking 
into cellars, iilth in yard, alley, gutter or street were 
the very obvious cause of malignancy." He says, ^1n 
every case of infectious disease the severity depended 
upon the hygienic conditions." 

Could words be plainer ? Do germs cause malignant 
disease ? Or is the system overcome by unhealthy con- 
ditions, both external and internal? 

Some bacteriologists claim that malignant disease is 
caused by mixed infection; i. e., instead of one germ 
there are two or more varieties present in the system. 
Yet the reader should remember that dead and dying 
tissue always contains a variety of germs. 

An animal dies out in the field. Are all the various 
s.pecies of flies and other insects obliged to stand back 
and look on because a certain bug has chosen the dead 
body for its field of operation? No, but every species 
of animal life that can creep, crawl, walk, run or fly; 
every insect or other minute life that floats through 
the air, makes haste to occupy a position on the dead 
body and enjoy the feast. So, also, when disease de- 
stroys tissue in the human system. The man with 
the microscope may find more than one kind of germ. 



54 MICEOBES AXD HEALTH. 

sometimes iinding a greater and sometimes a lesser 
variety. 

Where the power of the bacteriologists should avail 
much they are powerless. They may have the advan- 
tage when they have the germs planted in incubators, 
but in the human system it is different, and the germs 
enjoy the change; for, in experimental work, these 
germs have been passed back and forth so many times 
from guinea pigs, rabbits and white rats that life began 
to be a burden, but buried within the hidden recesses 
of the human body they can enjoy life in spite of the 
bacteriologists and their theories. 

Are the bacteriologists theorizing? Let us see. 
Human blood contains many small bodies or particles 
of matter called corpuscles. Vast numbers of these 
float along with the blood-stream. There are two prin- 
cipal varieties, red and white. The red possess great 
power to absorb ox3'gen, and in their passage through 
the lungs they absorb oxygen from the air we breathe, 
and through the circulation carry it to different parts 
of the body. The ox3^gen aids in the changes which 
are constantly going on in the human system ; aids that 
form of digestion carried on in the circulation. The 
oxygen gives life, force and energy. It is these cells 
or corpuscles which give to the blood its bright red 
color. 

Bacteriologists tell us that the white corpuscles act 
as a body-guard; they are a standing army for the pur- 
pose of protecting the body from invasions from with- 
out, and that when germs attack the system these 
white corpuscles are greatty increased in numbers; the 



GERMS. 5o 

system furnisliing tliern on demand, and that then 
there is a great battle, and if the corpuscles win there 
is no disease; but if thev are defeated disease follows; 
the germs dying later, largely from the effects of their 
own poison. This is known as Metschnikoff's theory. 
!N"ote the word "theory.*^ 

Unless the story of the white corpuscles is true in 
all cases it is not true in any, and it is not true in all^ 
for there is no increase in the white corpuscles in typ- 
hoid fever, consumption, in many cases of diphtheria,. 
in leucocythemia, and many other diseases. 

In the disease leucocythemia there is an enormous 
increase in the white corpuscles and yet this disease 
is not caused by germs. Xo one claims it is. Here 
we find the condition exactly opposite to Doctor Metsch- 
nikoff's "theory." Will some State Board of Health 
clear up the trouble? And yet this is hardly a fair 
question, for each health board has "'troubles of its 
own."^ Their whole existence is a vast sea of trouble^ 
their greatest trouble is to keep up with their own 
theories; i. e., to prepare new theories as fast as they 
discard old ones. 

Dr. Metschnikoff. a Russian, was the first to give us 
the astounding information that when the system is 
attacked with germs the white corpuscles instantly re- 
spond to the call to arms; they throw out skirmish 
lines; divide the main army into squads; surround the 
invading germs; fall upon them and destroy them. 
This is called phagocytosis. The professor says some- 
times the germs "play possum,'^ and when the white 
corpuscles are carrying them away captives, the germs 



56 MICROBES A^D HEALTH. 

suddenly and unexpectedly attack the corpuscles, and 
witli the advantage thus gained, may succeed in killing 
them. The germs are now at liberty to produce dis- 
ease wherever they may be, and that is the reason peo- 
ple have rheumatism, consumption and other diseases 
in different parts of the body; in the ankle, knee, hip 
or shoulder joint; consumption of the brain, inflamma- 
tion of the spinal cord, etc. Such a theory is a great 
detriment to the young doctors who are turned out to 
experiment upon human life. 

Following is the cause for an occasional increase in 
the white corpuscles: The white corpuscles increase 
at certain times because the nerves which supply the 
glands or tissues producing them are stimulated; su.ch 
stimulation being the result of certain irritating sub- 
stances or poisons generated in the system. Some 
kinds of poisons stimulate this system of nerves and 
some do not. The same is true of poisons that are 
used in medicine. Some stimulate certain nerves and 
some do not. Digitalis stimulates the nerves that con- 
trol the size of the blood-vessels, and the vessels con- 
tract. Belladonna paralyzes these nerves and the ves- 
sels dilate. Strychnine stimulates the nerves which 
supply the muscles, and if enough is given some muscles 
may escape the control of the individual, and the arms 
and feet fly in all directions, or the spasm may include 
all the muscles at one time, and the body will become 
rigid. Opium paralyzes these same nerves and the 
I S3^steni is completely relaxed. Atropin paralyzes the 

■ nerves supplying the glands of the skin, mouth, throat 

and other parts of the body, and they fail to act. 



GEKMS. 57 

Pilocarpine stimulates the same nerves and tliey pour 
out large amounts of fluid. Chloroform weakens the 
nerve supplying the heart, glonoin strengthens it. 

The poison generated in the system and which causes 
typhoid fever and other diseases mentioned, does not 
stimulate the nerves supplying the glands or tissues 
which produce the white corpuscles, hence there is no 
increase. These nerves are stimulated by other self- 
generated poisons, and there is an increase. This ac- 
counts for the disease Leucocythemia, already men- 
tioned, in which there is an enormous increase in the 
white corpuscles. 

The spleen and lymph glands of the body are the 
structures which supply the white corpuscles, and in 
Leucocythemia these are all enlarged showing over- 
stimulation. The spleen may become so large as to 
nearly fill the whole of the abdominal cavity. The 
spleen enlarges more than other glands, because its 
blood-supply is proportionately larger, and the blood- 
vessels are not continued through the organ as through 
other structures, but the circulation is continued 
through openings that are channeled through the spleen 
itself. This brings the irritating blood in direct con- 
tact with the spleenic tissues. 

The liver is also much enlarged, because the veins 
from the spleen empty directly into the liver. The 
white corpuscles become so numerous that the blood 
loses its red color and looks almost white. The pres- 
sure of the spleen and liver interfere with the lung- 
action and respiration is lessened. The pressure also 
interferes with the heart-action and there is weakness 



05 MICROBES AND HEALTH. 

of this organ, both from pressure and lack of nourish- 
ment. These eases do not occur often, bnt they are 
always fatal and the canse has never been given. 
There is no known treatment that is of benefit. 

But if germs are the special enemy of the white 
corpuscles, and the white corpuscles the only enemy 
of the germs, as claimed by the bacteriologist, then 
here is a chance to use germs to advantage, literally 
feed the man on germs, the more virulent or poisonous 
the better. Let them destroy the white corpuscles and 
bring the patient back to health. 

Bacteriologists do not pretend that Leucocythemia is 
caused by germs, yet there is an enormous increase in 
the white corpuscles. Again, the bacteriologists claim 
that these white corpuscles only increase when there is 
danger from invading germs. 

Bacteriologists teach that in case of accident the 
system sends great numbers of these white corpuscles 
to the point of injury for the purpose of protecting 
the part from germ invasion. Is that true ? 

Injur}'' that produces swelling and inflammation also 
paralyzes the nerves which control the size of the small 
blood-vessels, and the vessels dilate. In proportion to 
such enlargement the circulation is lessened. Every 
one understands that a broad creek or river will not 
flow as rapidly as the same amount of water in a nar- 
rower channel. The same is true with the circulation. 
When the arteries broaden the circulation becomes 
sluggish. In this sluggish circulation the white cor- 
puscles collect, just as driftwood carried by a creek or 



GERMS. 5^ 

river collects where the stream is broad and the current 
slackened. 

Instead of the white corpuscles being sent to the 
point of injur}' they collect there by reason of a slug- 
gish circulation. To prove this we only have to re- 
member that during health they are more numerous 
in the veins than in the arteries. The circulation is 
naturally more sluggish in the veins because the veins 
are larger. Their increase at the point of injury is 
mechanical. 

Do the white corpuscles ever escape from the arteries 
into the surrounding tissue and destroy germs as 
claimed by Prof. Metschnikoff and his followers ? 

When poison or injury causes the vessels to dilate 
with a corresponding slowing of the current, as de- 
scribed, the white corpuscles, being much larger than 
the red ones, naturally drift to one side. It would be 
impossble to keep a heavy timber in the center of a 
swiftly moving current or stream. The timber would 
seek the first cove and remain under some sheltering' 
bank. That is why driftwood is always found along 
the shore. It is the same with the white corpuscles: 
being much larger than the red ones they cling along- 
the sides of the vessels, and as the vessels dilate the 
walls become correspondingly thinner and many white 
corpuscles pass through. The more the vessels are 
stretched the easier the white corpuscles can escape. 

The pus contained in every abscess is made up largely 
of white corpuscles; they accumulate at the point of 
inflammation in the manner described, tumble around, 



*60 MICROBES AJs^D HEALTH. 

die^ and are converted into pns^ proving conclusively 
that their action is only mechanical. The bacteri- 
ologists do not pretend that the red corpuscles are 
germ destroyers, or that nature has given them any 
power to pass out of the vessels and invade surrund- 
ing tissues, yet when the arteries dilate sufficiently 
and the circulation has slowed down to a certain rate, 
the red corpuscles do pass through, showing the change 
is mechanical. They would have passed through be- 
fore, but they were so small and light that they kept 
in the center of the stream. It is these red corpuscles 
;that gives redness to a swollen and inflamed part. 

Bacteriology claims the white corpuscles have the 
power to roam through the system at will and that they 
■do this in order to seek out and destroy any invading 
germs, and thus render the body free from disease. Is 
that true? The white corpuscles are a soft proto- 
plasmic mass, and they have the same power of motion 
that the white of an egg has when placed in the hand 
rand allowed to slip through between the fingers. That 
is the way they pass through the arteries and other tis- 
sues, finding their way between the little cells of which 
the arteries and other structures are formed. 

Do the white corpuscles have the power to attack 
and destroy germs as claimed by Prof. Metschnikoff 
and his followers? A professor in one of our leading 
•universities, medical department, uses these words: 
■^^The white corpuscles make a wholesale attack upon 
the germs, catch and overpower them, gulp them down, 
and then secrete a poison which destroys them and they 
-pass into solution.'^ 



GERMS. 61 

Prof. Osier sa3^s, "Armies of white cells rush to the- 
fray and attempt to eat up and destroy the foe, but 
possibly in vain, the disease runs its course.'"' 

But if nature has created the white cells or cor- 
puscles for the purpose of destroying germs, then, ac- 
cording to bacteriolog}^, nature has made a mistake^ 
for Dr. Osier states, and all bacteriologists admit, that 
the white cells often fail and "the disease runs its 
course." Bacteriologists should stop theorizing long- 
enough to learn that if the Divine Architect had de- 
signed the white cell to protect the body from invading- 
germs they would do so. Every germ that enters the- 
human system would be destroyed, but instead of thi& 
the white cells are the ones to suffer. Every abscess 
and pus cavities are filled largely with white cells which 
serve as food for the germs present. 

Do the white cells ever destroy germs, as claimed 
by the professors? 

These questions may be answered as follows : Germs 
are many times smaller than the white corpuscles,, 
therefore germs may sometimes be found in the sub- 
stance of the white cells. 

How did they get there ? 

B}" absorption, just as particles of dirt floating in 
water are absorbed by a sponge. But there is not the- 
slightest evidence that the germs were alive when ab- 
sorbed by the white cells. 

Can the white corpuscles furnish a secretion that 
will destroy germs ? 

The secretions of the white cells in the human body 
have the j)ower to destroy life in other cells called 



62 MICROBES AND HEALTH. 

germs. This power is not confined to the white cor- 
puscles, however, but is true of ever}^ cell in the bod}^ 
The white corpuscles are perhaps of least importance 
in this particular. Millions of live germs enter the 
system every day. They are always dead when elimi- 
nated from a healthy body. This is a fact which every 
bacteriologist understands. The secretions of every 
organ in the body, and of all the tissues, have the 
power to destroy germs. The cells of the digestive 
organs, those which furnish the digestive fluids, are far 
more powerful in destroying germs and neutralizing 
poison than the white corpuscles, yet the bacteriologist 
would have use believe the white corpuscles alone 
possess this power. Take a consumptive; usually the 
diseased lungs are literally loaded with germs, and as 
fast as the lung tissue is destroyed it is expectorated, 
and millions of germs are swallowed. They are 
poured into the stomach in great numbers; it cannot 
be otherwise. No one pretends and even the bacteri- 
ologists do not claim that the white corpuscles or cells 
follow the germs into the stomach and destroy them. 

Do the germs cause disease of the digestive tract? 

'No, everyone understands that consumption of the 
digestive tract is seldom met with, even in those who 
have consumption of the lungs. 

Are the germs eliminated alive? 

No, the bacteriologists themselves tell us germs are 
always dead when eliminated. 

Then, if they are dead and the white corpuscles do 
not kill them, what does ? * 



GERMS. 63 

Why, the cells of the digestive tract, of course; i. e., 
the digestive fluids furnished by those cells. 

The stomach is the place where germs enter in the 
largest numbers, hence it is good sense to believe that 
the cells of this organ are most powerful in destroying 
them. Human blood is also a powerful germ destroyer. 

It has been stated that bacteriology rests upon noth- 
ing real, and is supported only by theory. In the fore- 
going pages the author has endeavored to prove that 
statement true. Look at it another way. 

Maggots do not cause wood to rot. Their presence 
only indicates that such material furnishes nourish- 
ment upon which they can develop. Germs do not 
cause disease. Their presence only indicates that tis- 
sue destroyed by disease furnishes nourishment upon 
which they can develop. Germs are scavengers feed- 
ing upon dead tissue. Maggots are scavengers feeding 
upon rotten wood. 

The mechanic strikes his finger with the hammer; 
the finger swells, turns black and later some of the 
cells or tissues destroyed by the blow, liquefy and are 
"discharged as pus. The microscope would reveal mil- 
lions of germs in this pus, yet all would understand 
that it was the blow from the hammer and not the 
germs that caused the abscess. 

Take a burn, where the skin and some of the deeper 
structures are destro3^ed. Soon this dead tissue is filled 
with germs, and by their power to decompose dead 
matter, the germs break down or separate the elements 
of the tissues destroved bv the burn, some in the form 



64 MICROBES AI^D HEALTH. 

of gases and some in the form of pus, and as fa^t as 
the dead matter is removed healthy tissue forms and 
gradually the wound heals. The microscope would re- 
veal millions of germs in the dead tissue and in the 
pus, yet all would understand it was the burn and not 
the germs that caused the disease, but the germ action 
aided materially in the process of healing, for without 
such action the tissues destroyed by the hammer or 
the fire would not have been removed, but would have 
remained in a mummified condition. Greenes Path- 
ology states, page 270, and every pathologist under- 
stands, that "all processes comprised in the terms fer- 
mentation and putrefaction are due to the action of 
vegetable organisms." 

Some bacteriologists admit that such germ action 
and elimination is an advantage to the patient, but 
claim that when the dead matter is removed the germs, 
with the advantage gained, continue to do business at 
the old stand. In other words, there are some who 
do not claim that germs are the primary or first cause 
of disease, but that disease allows their development 
in the system, after which they attack the surrounding 
tissues and thus cause chronic disease and fatal termi- 
nation. 

Is that true? 

Let us make a few practical applications. Let us 
take those diseases in which there are a large number 
of germs present. There are millions of germs in the 
pus contained in every felon, boil, or carbuncle, yet 
these cases usually heal promptly and the individual 
forgets all about them. A man breaks his leg. It is a 



GEKMS. 65 

compound fracture; i. e.^ the broken ends of the bone 
project through the skin. The wound does not heal 
readily and pus forms. The microscope would reveal 
millions of germs present^ yet no one would be foolish 
enough to believe that the germs caused the disease. 
All would understand that they were the result and 
not the cause. 

Take diseases that are more grave; diseases that are 
most dangerous to human life, and also those which 
contain the greatest number of germs. Typhoid fever, 
where many ulcers or pus cavities are formed; ulcer of 
the stomach, pneumonia, consumption, abscess of the 
abdominal cavity in appendicitis, etc. In each of these 
germs are present in vast numbers, yet everyone under- 
stands that these cases usually recover. Eecovery is 
the rule in typhoid fever and pneumonia. !N'inety per 
cent of those having appendicitis recover without oper- 
ation, and as already stated, the bacteriologists them- 
selves admit that "extensive observations in the mor- 
gues of large cities prove that even a large proportion 
of persons dead from other causes have recovered from 
consumption." 

Doctor Ingals of Chicago is quoted as saying that 
"ninety per cent of all people have consumption some- 
time." This is a sweeping statement of the prevalence 
of consumption, but observation and experience bear 
it out. 

It is stated editorially in the December, 1900, 
Alkaloidal Clinic, page 931, that ^aegeli found, with 
improved methods of post-mortem examinations and 
investigations, that one hundred per cent of adults 



66 MICROBES AKD HEALTH. 

examined presented evidence of tubercular lesions, and 
claimed that every adult is tuberculous. But the 
strong are able to transform an active lesion into a 
latent inactive process. 

Bacteriologists claim consumption is caused by a 
certain specific germ. Yet post-mortem examinations 
prove that in the great majority of cases, if not all, 
that germs have been present to the extent of causing 
cavities in the lungs, yet the patient recovered and died 
later from other causes. Does the reader suppose that 
if germs can cause consumption, and if the disease had 
so far progressed as to cause the characteristic marks 
in the lungs as rescribed, that the trouble would have 
stopped here? Certainly not; but, having become 
master of the situation, the germs would procede to 
the inevitable ending — death of the patient. 

But if we consider the presence of the germ only as 
the result of the disease — merely a result of circum- 
stances — how simple the explanation becomes; how 
easy to account for their presence. Those who under- 
stand the nature of these diseases understand that the 
danger is not from the germs present, but from the 
virulent poisons in the form of purulent matter and 
foul gases resulting from the tissue destroyed by dis- 
ease. 

Take another example; abscess of the liver. This 
disease is secondary in a more direct sense than the 
other diseases mentioned. Abscess of the liver usually 
results from a diseased digestive tract. The return 
circulation from the digestive tract is first carried di- 
rect to the liver, and when digestion is poor the cir- 



/ 



GERMS. 67 

culation also carries waste and poisonous matter, which 
is emptied directly into the liver, and the whole organ 
is poisoned. The^ digestion carried on by the liver is 
interfered with. The enormous amount of other work 
carried on by this organ is also interfered with. With 
a loss of liver-action intestinal digestion is interfered 
with, the digestive tract becomes more nnhealth}^, and 
in return more poisons are poured into the liver. The 
return circulation passing through the liver is dimin- 
ished and oxydation of the blood in the lungs is cor- 
respondingly lessened. The enlarged liver, with its 
growing abscess, crowds upon the lungs and lessens the 
power of respiration; nutrition is lessened and the 
whole body suffers. These are conditions with which 
germs have nothing to do, absolutely nothing. 

Abscess of the brain, although rare, is also second- 
ary. First there is a diseased heart or diseased arteries 
from some cause. Both are of slow growth. (Abscess 
of the brain may result from accident.) In any case, 
the circulation becomes clogged, nutrition is shut oS 
and some of the brain tissue dies; first one cell and 
then another; inflammation surrounds the dead area 
and prevents its spread — nature's method of localizing 
disease. Germs have had nothing to do with bringing 
about the long train of conditions that led up to the 
abscess. Thousands of times before germs may have 
circulated through this same brain, but now they lodge 
in the dead and dying tissue and reduce it to liquid 
form, according to a natural law. 

Ulcer of the stomach is secondary, and is caused by 
a blood-clot or the obliteration of an arterv, when the 



68 MICROBES AKD HEALTH. 

parts supplied by such an artery die from lack of 
nourishment and degeneration follows. The stomach 
may become so unhealthy as to contain immense num- 
bers of germs, yet the danger is not from the germs, but 
from perforation; i. e., the ulcer may "eat" through 
the stomach, or may destroy blood-vessels and cause 
dangerous or fatal hemorrhage. In none of the dis- 
eases named are germs a danger or injury. 

Some may claim that when an abscess ruptures the 
bulk of the germs escape, and it is by reason of such 
relief that the system recovers. Exactly. Nature has 
made every provision for the system to localize disease 
and overcome germ action. The abscess is circum- 
scribed until it reaches the surface, when rupture takes 
place and the system is relieved. If an abscess is so 
deep that it cannot reach the surface it is often ab- 
sorbed ; little by little it is taken up by the circulation, 
carried away, eliminated and recovery follows. 

These cases not only show that germs do not cause 
disease, but they prove that the presence of germs in 
any considerable numbers is merely coincident with 
• disease; i. e., a result of disease. As stated many times, 
they are everywhere present for the purpose of separat- 
ing the elements of dead tissue, animal or vegetable, 
and giving such elements back to nature's laboratory. 
Whether death was the result of accident, old age or 
disease (abscess) makes no difference. When the work 
is finished the germs disappear. 

Green's Pathology, although filled to overflowing 
with the various germ theories, states on page 370: 



GERMS. 69 

^'How, too, should we otherwise explain the recovery 
of some people from phthisis except by assuming that 
the soil, which was at one time favorable to the growth 
of the bacillus became later on unfavorable ?" Can any 
one select more convenient words to prove that germs 
are the result and not the cause of disease ? 

The author recently addressed a letter to a leading 
germ theorist, for many years professor in one of our 
leading university's medical department, asking the 
question: "In diseased conditions is it not true that 
germs are an advantage b}^ reason of their power to 
reduce and liquify dead tissue and thus aid in relieving 
the system?" In reply this eminent doctor said: 
"Dead or diseased tissue can indeed be gotten rid of by 
fermentative and other changes induced by germs, but 
at an enormous expenditure of vital energy and tissue- 
cells/' Again he says: "While the results following 
germ action do serve to get rid of dead or diseased 
tissue, they do so in a dangerous and wasteful manner.'^ 
Again, "Dead tissue or dying tissue can be removed 
only by either putrefactive changes or by a combina- 
tion with suppurative processes, if germs be present, 
3'et no such combination obtains in the absence of 
germs." 

Then he argues that, "Cancellous tissue and the 
medullary canal are hollowed out of solid bone." 
Also, "The means b}' which all tissue waste is removed 
during the constant physiological breaking down and 
building up of tissue." In this way the professor says : 

"Extensive masses of dead tissue, osseous as well as 



70 MICROBES AND HEALTH. 

soft, are removed uiiconscioiisly in the absence of 
germs /^ 

The trouble with the professor is, he is unable to 
distinguish between physiological and pathological 
conditions or changes. All will understand that germ 
action has nothing to do with the physiological or 
natural changes, repair and waste, constantly going on 
in a healthy system, as mentioned by the professor, but 
only applies to diseased conditions where waste is 
present in unusual amounts. 

In maintaining life and health the different cells 
of the body are constantly taking up nourishment and 
giving off an equal amount of waste in the form of 
dead matter. This is nature's plan, and so long as 
health is maintained each cell in the body must do its 
part. Cells are not replaced all at once, but so grad- 
ual are worn-out particles cast off and replaced by 
new, that weeks and months are required to complete 
the change. In disease it is different, as a whole cell 
or a great number of them may die at one time. What 
is to be done? They cannot be eliminated whole, and 
the surrounding healthy cells are unable to go beyond 
their own borders. They have enough to do to take 
care of their own business, and especially since disease 
is present. It is in conditions like these that germs 
from the external world, finding their way into the 
system as they do constantly, float along in the cir- 
culation and lodge in the dead tissue, produce fermen- 
tation, and the dead tissue is broken up and eliminated. 

The professor's teaching applied to health is correct ; 
applied to disease .and it becomes ridiculous at once. 



GERMS. 71 

Take the "extensive masses of dead tissue'^ destroyed 
by "an nicer, by an abscess, by a bnrn or by gangrene, 
where a hand or foot is destroyed in a few hours. Now 
apply the professor^s words, "Extensive masses of dead 
tissue are removed nnconscionsly in the absence of 
germs/' 

Is that true ? Did any one ever know of "'extensive 
masses of dead tissue" sufficient to produce ulcer or 
abscess to be removed without the presence of germs? 
Did any one ever know of "extensive masses of dead 
tissue" in moist gangrene, or in any other disease, to 
be removed without the presence of germs ? Why are 
germs present in such cases? Because it is nature's 
plan. They are needed to reduce dead tissue when 
occurring in any considrable amount. 

Why are germs absent during the elimination of 
natural waste produced in health, as mentioned by 
the professor? Because this is nature's plan also. 
Here they are not needed. The waste is given off in 
the form of a watery vapor, and in such small quantities 
that it can be readily eliminated. 

The foregoing is taken from a personal letter, and 
the doctor here referred to is still professor in one of 
our leading university's medical department, and is 
authority in bacteriology. 

In the Eeview of Eeviews of October, 1900, page 
483, Mr. Maurice L. Johnson asks the question: "Are 
microbes pathogenic?" And proceeds to answer the 
question with an emphatic denial. He quotes a paper 
from that eminent authority, George B. Bantock, M. D., 
F. E. C, S. E., in March of last year, in which the doctor 



72 MICROBES AKD HEALTH. 

presents facts to show that the modern doctrme of 
bacteriology is a gigantic mistake, and states that the 
various microbes play a beneficent role in the economy 
of natnre. 

As Doctor Bantock and other eminent authorities as- 
sure us the germs which have come to be regarded as 
the cause of the most virulent disease are constantly 
swarming in perfectly healthy people, and in their de- 
crescense (diminishing) are frequently attended with 
unfavorable results, there is good grounds for believing 
them to be necessary and beneficent. 

Even that great germ theorist, Doctor Osier, says: 
^^It should be strongly emphasised that those bacteria 
which cause disease are only a few species, all other 
contributing to our welfare in countless ways/' "Only 
a few species cause disease ?'' Yes. Why does Doctor 
Osier say this, simply because he is only able to find 
a few species in diseased tissue, for, as stated on page 
48, such tissue supplies nourishment for a few species 
only. Strange this brilliant man cannot see that these 
"few species'' are the result and not the cause of dis- 
ease. Doctor Osier admits that the so called pneu- 
monia germ is present in twenty per cent of healthy 
people. 

Kijanitzin claims that animals placed in sterile air 
emaciate and die in a few days. That in breathing 
ordinary air the germs inhaled yield their ferments to 
the action of the tissues of the body, and these ferments 
are necessary to promote oxygenation. If the microbe's 
supply is shut off the ferments disappear from the 
blood, and death ensues. 



GEKMS. 73 

This would indicate that the scheme of creation is 
not so imperfect after all^ and that the chain of mutual 
interdependence that links together animal and vege- 
table, rock and plant, extends also to the germ world, 
and that the microbe is essential to the life of the 
higher form of animals. 

Bacteriologists have omitted to tell ns about diges- 
tion, elimination and exercise, or about fresh air, pure 
water and sunshine. They forget to tell us that bad 
habits may again produce the same disease, that alcohol 
destroys about 100,000 lives every year, and that tobacco 
produces many fatal maladies, yet they prove their 
loyalty by antitoxins and animal extracts manufac- 
tured by themselves. These are but the revival of 
those principles and that commercial enterprise which 
a few years ago gave us Berckley's Panacea, the hydro- 
gen sulphide cure for consumption; Browri-Sequard^s 
Elixir of Life; Eadam^s Microbe Killer; Koch's Tuber- 
culin, etc.; all failures, yet at one time each of these 
created its furore and later was stored away in the 
obsolete archives illustrative of the credulity of the 
profession. 

These remedies, long since proven worthless, are 
now replaced by antitoxins. What are antitoxins? 
Bacteriologists claim that germs are the cause of dis- 
ease. The germs first produce a poison in the system 
and disease follows. They claim that antitoxin when 
injected into the body of the patient neutralizes the 
poison, destroys the germs and the patient recovers. 
Antitoxins are prepared as follows : The germs, or their 
waste products (ptomains), are injected in to the body 



74 MICROBES AND HEALTH. 

of a horse or some other animal. The bacteriologists 
claim this excites a counter-poison, and the blood 
becoming charged with this counter-poison is drawn 
from some of the animal's veins, and when injected into 
the body of a human being having a disease produced 
by this particular germ, it will destroy the germ and 
effect a cure. This is called serum therapy. 

For years leading medical journals and prominent 
physicians have claimed, and bacteriologists acknowl- 
edge, that carbolic acid or other antiseptics are used 
to prevent the decomposition of antitoxins; hence it is 
claimed that any virtues which antitoxins possess are 
due solely to the carbolic acid. 

A recent editorial in a leading medical journal says: 
^'Tf carbolic acid alone will do all that is claimed for 
antitoxin, and the serum alone is inert if not poison- 
ous, where is the sense in using an expensive humbug ? 
Why make the patient pay fancy prices for a myth? 
Why involve medicine in the obscurity of superstition 
again ? Why support and give countenance to a fraud ? 
Is or is not this quackery, even though it sit in high 
places ?" 

Instinct teaches us that nature did not place in the 
secretions of the lower animals the elements necessary 
for the preservation of human life. Antitoxins and 
the germ theory will run a natural course and die a 
natural death, like other fads and delusions. 

There is one disease especially which bacteriologists 
claim to cure with antitoxin, and that disease is diph- 
theria; yet the fact that antitoxin statistics for diph- 



GERMS. 75 

theria are based on cases diagnosed by the microscope, 
destroys their value as evidence, for to-day every phy- 
sician understands that repeated and painstaking 
examinations have proven the absence of the germ in 
some of the most virulent cases of diphtheria, and 
again it may be present for weeks at a time in the 
mouths and throats of healthy children. The pres- 
ence of the germ depends upon the vitality and nutri- 
tion of the throat structures, and the amount and 
character of the exudations. A severe case of diph- 
theria with a well organized membrane, with dry and 
swollen surrounding structures, would present a poor 
medium for the development of germs, and in such 
cases germs may be absent. 

A bacteriologist may examine fifty children, and by 
the aid of the microscope he may find the so called 
diphtheria germ present in the throats of one-half the 
number. He immediately reports twenty-five cases of 
diphtheria, uses his antitoxin and again reports a cure 
in each case, when the facts are, there may not have 
been a single case of diphtheria among those reported. 
Bacteriologists know this to be true. 

In the Eeview of Eeviews for October, 1900, Dr. 
Bantock states (page 483) : "The misconceptions in 
regard to germs seem to have arisen from the mistak- 
ing of an effect for a cause. For example the diph- 
theria germ has been looked upon as the cause of diph- 
theria, while it is universally admitted that it is con- 
tinually present in perfectly healthy mouths and 
throats. But, of course, when an individual contracts 
diphtheria all the microbes which are swarming in his 



76 MICROBES AND HEALTH. 

system, including this denizen of the throat, mnst par- 
ticipate in the contamination and acquire the diph- 
theritic diathesis, so when nnder snch conditions, it 
lias been taken and injected into animals and they 
have developed the diphtheria, the false assumption 
lias arisen that this microbe, harmless enough when 
taken from a healthy person, was the cause of diph- 
theria, because it induced the disease when taken from 
a diphtheritic patient, any other microbe or emanation 
from whom would have possessed the same diseased 
property/' 

Dr. Bantock says in substance that germs are pres- 
ent in every healthy system, and that if taken from a 
healthy system they will not produce disease, but after 
having been in contact with diseased tissue they may 
•carry disease the same as any other substance, the 
same as a bandage or towel that has been in contact 
with a diseased part. Dr. Bantock says germs are both 
^^necessary and a benefit.'^ 

Eegarding antitoxin for diphtheria, it is important 
to remember that diphtheria is a self-limited disease, 
a disease of short duration, and under favorable hy- 
gienic surroundings and good general management 
usually terminates favorably, otherwise the life of anti- 
toxin for diphtheria would have been as short as the 
tuberculin of Koch. 

As stated, in the recent past, bacteriologists have 
manufactured and used antitoxins for many diseases, 
but they have proved such utter failures that of late 
we hear little of them except antitoxin for diphtheria 
•as just mentioned. The others have faded from view 



GERMS. 7T 

until even the most entliiisiastic bacteriologist is 
ashamed to speak of them. Antitoxins for diphtheria 
will meet the same fate. 

The author recently addressed four letters to four 
leading centers of information, asking for evidence 
showing that antitoxin without carbolic acid or other 
antiseptic; i. e., the animal serum, in and of itself has 
any power to cure disease. Three of the offices ad- 
dressed were prominent germ theorists. This gives 
them the advantage. 

The first answer given is from a leading germ theor- 
ist and professor of bacteriology in two leading medical 
colleges, dividing his time between the two schools. 
He says: "Do not allow yourself to get crosswise on 
the diphtheria antitoxin question. The serum is cura- 
tive beyond a doubt. The opposition is limited to the 
most ignorant homeopaths.^^ 

Does that prove anything in favor of antitoxin? 

No. 

Does it prove anything else? 

Xo. 

The second answer is from a prominent firm of man- 
ufacturing chemists, and also leading germ theorists. 
This firm stands very high in the scientific mind. They 
say: "It is our opinion that the addition of anti- 
septics to antitoxin is not absolutely necessary. It 
has been demonstrated that serum in itself has cura- 
tive powers, in regard to which we would refer you to 
the works of Crookshank of England, and Metschnikoff 
of Paris." This is the same Metschnikoff who gave us 
the "theory" of the white blood-corpuscles. 



78 MICROBES AND HEALTH. 

Then this firm advises the use of certain prepara- 
tions mannfactured by themselves, as being far supe- 
rior to antitoxin, and closed by saying: "Physicians 
all over the United States advocate the usage of our 
products in preference to antitoxin." 

Does this second answer prove anything for anti- 
toxin ? 

No. On the other hand it is practically an admis- 
sion that antitoxin is without value. 

They say: "It is our opinion," so-and-so, and then 
discard antitoxin for goods manufactured by them- 
selves. The two answers just quoted are from personal 
letters. 

The third answer is also from a leading firm of 
manufacturing chemists. Perhaps this firm stands 
highest in authority — Merck & Co. of New York. 
Their answer appeared in Merck^s Archives for July, 
1900, page 80, as follows: 

"The reports of the first experiments performed with 
antitoxin indicated that the experimenters used per- 
fectly pure and antiseptic-free antitoxin. It was only 
when they were compelled to keep it that antiseptics 
were used, and then they had to determine if the anti- 
septic would destroy its curative properties. On find- 
ing that it would not they were able to send it out as 
a commercial article. A study of the results of the 
use of antitoxin, as shown by various articles that have 
from time to time appeared in the Archives, will show 
Dr. W. that no such effects could in any degree be 
accounted for by the use of creosote, carbolic acid or 
other such remedv." 



GERilS. 79 

Does this third answer prove anything favorable for 
antitoxin ? 

-No. 

What does it prove? 

Nothing. It is only a statement from those who 
have faith in the remedy. They do not say that dis- 
ease was ever cured or even influenced by antitoxin, 
and state that the first experiments only "indicated" 
so-and-so. 

Who were the experimenters ? 

Germ theorists, of course, the same men who ex- 
plained (?) immunity on page 31. 

The fourth answer was by a personal letter, as fol- 
lows: "We are pretty familiar with antitoxin litera- 
ture, pro and con, and we do not believe antitoxin 
serum alone has ever been used. In fact, it would be 
dangerous to do so, for it begins to undergo changes 
immediately, the carbolic acid or other antiseptic is 
incorporated during the process of manufacture. 
[Nothing has ever been found in the antitoxin except 
the antiseptics. Antitoxin is simply a combination of 
horse-serum, carbolic acid and faith. Carbolic acid has 
an old and flattering history in the successful treat- 
ment of diphtheria, scarlet fever, typhoid fever and 
other infectious diseases. Especially is it useful in 
the small doses as employed in antitoxin. The evi- 
dence which antitoxin has accumulated for itself has 
been manufactured by carbolic acid. The serum alone 
has nothing back of it except theory, assertion and 
credulity." 

The center from which this authoritv emanates is 



80 MICROBES AND HEALTH. 

second, perhaps, to none, and is nndonbtedly true. 
They state that carbolic acid or other antiseptics are 
incorporated during the process of manufacture, and 
this destroys that part of MercFs reply in which they 
state that antitoxin serum was ever used alone. 

In the Medical Visitor for March, 1900, page 143, is 
the following article from the Wisconsin Medical 
Recorder, showing the folly of mortality statistics for 
diphtheria as furnished by the bacteriologists, who 
claimed such a high death-rate before antitoxin was 
used : 

"Those cities which now have a low general death-rate 
from all causes also show, as would be expected, a low 
diphtheria death-rate. This is true of Chicago and 
Milwaukee. ISTew York City, which at present has a 
very low general death-rate compared with many years 
in the past, naturally has a corresponding low diph- 
theria mortality. 

"It is a common assumption that the mortality from 
diphtheria used to be 40 per cent before antitoxin times, 
which is as absurd as it is untrue. Certainly at times 
40 per cent of the patients died. The mortality was 
very much higher than 40 per cent in some epidemics. 
Ferrand in 1827 related that in an epidemic all of the 
60 patients died. Bretonneau in 1826 quoted Carne- 
vale as saying that in Chiaja near IN'aples the greater 
part of those attacked succumbed. Ozonam's sum- 
ming up of 39 epidemics from 1559 to 1805 showed 
80 per cent mortality. Then the tables of epidemics 
from 1805 to 1830, made by the Academic Royale de 
Medicine, gives the death-rate as 25 per cent. But 



GERMS. 81 

Beauquin in 1828 lost only 4.6 of 300 cases. Eoll in 
1850 said that in Drontlieim, ^N'orway, of some 700 
cases only about 7 per cent died. Lespeau in 1854 
wrote that in one regiment of 200 cases only 6 per cent 
were lost. And Mackinder reported in 1859 a death- 
rate of only 0.25 per cent in 400 cases in Gainsborough, 
England. Were this great disparity in the diphtheria 
death-rate before antitoxin times kept in mind, perhaps 
we would not so often be treated to the amusing argu- 
ment that because the death-rate has declined a few 
degrees in some places since antitoxin has been intro- 
duced, therefore antitoxin is responsible for the im- 
provement. 

"How can a thing be considered a specific which gives 
11.8 per cent mortality in the Berlin Kaiser und 
Kaiserin Friedrich Kinderkrankenhaus, and at the 
same time allows a mortality of 23 per cent in the 
Philadelphia Municipal Hospital, being more than 
double the mortality in one institution than in the 
other? Quinine would not be called a specific if it 
could not cure intermittent fever as well in Chicago 
as it does in St. Petersburgh or any other city. Until 
antitoxin brings down the diphtheria death-rate to a 
point lower than it ever was before, and keeps it at 
that point, in every place, it must be considered a 
failure. 

"Within the writer's knowledge diphtheria occurred 
in the families of four ph3^sicians in this city. Of the 
patients two received antitoxin and promptly died. 
The other two were not treated with antitoxin and 
recovered. It is fair to assume that the antitoxin- 



82 



MICROBES AND HEALTH. 



treated cases, being in doctors' families, were not neg- 
lected and that the treatment was begun early in the 
disease. 

"There is no convincing evidence that antitoxin 
exerts any influence on the false membrane in causing 
its early detachment or disappearance, or in prevent- 
ing it from spreading. Even if it did, it would not 
signify much, for the membrane is simply the effect 
of something, it is not the disease. Patients often die 
after the membrane has disappeared. The diphtheritic 
lesion is identical anatomically with croupous inflam- 
mation due to traumatic and other causes. Back of 
the formation of the false membrane is that deranged 
condition of the system permitting the growth of per- 
nicious bacteria, which abnormal state is really the 
disease. We do not know but what the formation of 
the false membrane is nature's method of protecting 
the patient, and- until it shuts off the air from the 
lungs the membrane may serve some useful purpose. 
Eupp couldn't see any effect on the membrane in his 
twenty-four antitoxin-healed cases, in such a way as to 
be beyond doubt. 

"It is a common thing, in cases not treated with 
antitoxin, for the membrane to begin to fall off after 
the first day, to disappear completely in three of four 
days. Eupp needed to visit two cases which were not 
treated with antitoxin only four days, and one, a 
croupal case, only three days. The diagnosis in each 
case was confirmed by bacteriological examination. 
Bretonneau in his classical work on diphtheria dis- 



GERMS. 83 

tinctlj taught : 'You will remark that at the first day 
of the appearance a radical cure may be obtained in 
forty-eight hours/ Yet antitoxin advocates claim 
everything, because in some cases treated with antitoxin 
the false membrane begins to disappear^ as they say, 
early; in two or three days (Wiemer), or three or four 
days (Baginsk}"). This also happens earlier and later. 
In fact, with antitoxin it is often very much later. 
Chapin speaks of seven-year old patients receiving 
4,500 units on the third day, with the result that the 
throat cleared only after six days, and later the mem- 
brane partly reformed. Winters saw it remain ten 
days in two cases, and in another at the end of the 
twenty-second day it was still present. 

"It is conceded that eruptions are often caused by 
the injection of antitoxin. Engelman and Morse de- 
scribe cases of urticaria. Myer saw urticarial rash in 
one case, and a macular eruption in another. Berg, 
in summing up his observations, concludes: 'In very 
many cases the eruption, if at all general, is at least 
a discomfort.' In others a decided increase in the 
gravity of the disease accompanies the appearance of 
the eruption, which is present in at least ten per cent 
of cases treated with antitoxin. Martin and Hunt saw 
the eruption in 27.5 per cent of 178 antitoxin-treated 
cases. The London Asylums' Hospital Eeport for 1896 
says the eruption appeared in 35.2 per cent of the 
cases treated with antitoxin. 

"Joint troubles also follow the use of antitoxin. 
Lombard had one case in which there was pain in the 



84 MICKOBES AKD HEALTH. 

joints. Fleiscli describes a case in which swelling of 
the hip- joint occurred. Perregeanx mentions thirty 
cases of joint-tronble following the nse of antitoxin. 

"Before antitoxin was used in the Willard Parker 
Hospital 16 per cent of the fatal cases died of pneu- 
monia. During nine months of 1895, 53 per cent of 
the deaths were caused by this disease. Winters 
thought the enormous increase of pneumonia has no 
other explanation than the hypodermic injection of 
serum (antitoxin). 

"Finally we have the startling fact that the injec- 
tion of antitoxin for the purpose of immunization has 
killed many people. Korach and Alfoldi, and many 
others, have reported deaths following prophylactic 
doses of antitoxin." 

In 1895 Dr. Cordeiro concluded his report on diph- 
theria antitoxin to the surgeon-general of the navy in 
these words: 

"As yet we have not the slightest basis on which to 
found an expectation that fewer children will die in 
the future of this disease on account of the serum 
treatment, and ever}^ year adds fresh testimony con- 
firming the justness of this decision. 

"And from all the bad effects caused by the use of 
antitoxin it follows that many lives have been sacri- 
ficed which might have been saved with the usual 
time-honored remedies." 

Will antitoxin cure diphtheria? 

Here we learn that it requires many years to form 
an estimate of the number of deaths from contagious 
diseases. And even without the foregoing history 



GERMS. 85 

every practical mind will recognize at once the impor- 
tance of such time. Yet in spite of such necessary 
evidence some of our State Boards of Health, in their 
haste to rush into print and thus keep their names 
prominently before the public, stated in a recently 
published bulletin, "That nearly all the contagious dis- 
eases prevalent in their state show a marked decrease 
during the quarter just ended in comparison with the 
first three months of the present year," etc., etc. Com- 
ment is unnecessary, except to remind the reader that 
the bulletin issued by the board was paid for out of 
the public money. 

If it were true that germs cause disease, could any 
one prepare an antitoxin intelligently or successfully 
until after the germ had been discovered and the nature 
of its poison understood? N"o; no more than a doctor 
could treat any other case of poisoning without first 
knowing the kind of poison taken. 

Have we had an antitoxin for yellow fever ? Yes. 

Has a germ ever been discovered that will cause this 
disease? No. A few years ago Sanarelli, an Italian, 
claimed to have discovered such a germ, and at the ^^ 

time enthusiastic believers accepted the statements as /•' 

true. To-day bacteriologists themselves admit they 
have no germ that will cause yellow fever. To prove / 
this it is only necessary to state that a few years ago the 
bacteriologists instituted the most strict quarantine reg- 
ulations in every case of yellow fever, to-day all quaran- 
tine regulations are abandoned. 

Then we have an antitoxin for the destruction of a 
certain germ before such germ is discovered? Yes. 



^%»^ 



86 MICROBES AND HEALTH. 

Take the so called diphtheria germ, and the harrels 
of antitoxin that have been mannfactnred to destroy 
this germ and its poison. It now develops that bac- 
teriologists themselves are in donbt as to having dis- 
covered the guilty bug. Inquiry among them will 
convince the reader that for several years they have 
been disputing among themselves, some claiming that 
the germ first decided upon is the cause of diph- 
theria, and others claiming other germs. Some claim 
that it requires a mixture of these germs. Admit- 
ting for the moment that germs cause diphtheria, 
the bacteriologists could not tell to-day what germ 
produces the disease. Here again we have an antitoxin 
for the destruction of a germ or its poison before such 
germ or poison is discovered? Yes. 

Again, bacteriologists themselves admit there are 
many cases of diphtheria when no germ can be found. 

Bubonic Plague. 

• While bacteriologists claim this disease is caused by 
a germ, it is well known there is no germ that will pro- 
duce such a disease, yet the modern bacteriologists have- 
prepared and used an antitoxin which they inject into 
the system to cure the black shadow of the east, as the 
plague is sometimes called. 

It is well known there. is no germ that will cause 
hydrophobia. Greenes Pathology, page 311, says : "N"o 
hydrophobia organism has yet been discovered." x\nd 
we have an antitoxin for the destruction of such a 
germ? Yes, Pasteur, a Frenchman, established such 
a treatment several years ago. 



%. 



GERMS. 87 

Again, tlie bacteriologists admit tliey have no germ 
that Tvill cause cholera, page 341, Green's Pathology 
states, ^"that during an epidemic of cholera the drink- 
ing water of A'ersailles contained the cholera vibros, 
yet those who drank the water remained "unaffected,'^ 
and "that the organism persisted in the water for 
months after the epidemic had ceased, and therefore the 
appearance of the microbe in the water did not neces- 
sarily involve the appearance of an epidemic." 

All mnst admit that antitoxins cannot be intelli- 
gently or snccessfnlly prepared without first knowing 
the nature of the germs or poison against which they 
are to be used. Then why do we have so many, and 
why do we have them before the discovery of the germs 
for which the various antitoxins are prepared? The 
National Medical Bevieio for ^lay, 1900, page 620, con- 
tains an article in which antitoxin is mentioned. The 
article states that a tube containing 1 c. c, or about 
15 drops, sells for $1.00, and a vial containing 10 c. c, 
or about 150 drops, sells for $7.50. Fifteen drops of 
blood-serum from a dumb brute $1.00, 150 drops of 
blood-serum from a dumb brute $7.50 ! Antitoxin for 
diphtheria costs about $3.00 for each dose. Merck & 
Co. speak of antitoxin as a commercial article. That 
was a happy thought for the manufacturers. Why do 
we have antitoxins first ? Why — that is — well, perhaps 
the bacteriologists themselves would rather answer that 
question. • 

The Health Boards of Xew York City and Phila- 
delphia speak of the germs of scarlet fever and of 
measles as a matter of course, and for years bacteri- 



88 MICEOBES Als^D HEALTH. 

ologists have taught the public, including school chil- 
dren, that all infectious diseases are caused by germs. 
Are they? Have they ever found a germ that will 
cause — 

Scarlet fever? No. 

Measles ? 'No. 

Yellow fever? No. 

Cholera? No. 

Pneumonia? No. 

Bubonic plague? No. 

Typhoid fever? No. (See typhoid fever.) 

Smallpox ? No. 

Cancer ? No. 

Whooping-cough ? No. 

Chicken-pox? No. 

Hydrophobia ? No. 

Influenza (grip)? No. 

Diphtheria? No. Bacteriologists do not agree. 

Even Prof. Osier is quoted as saying: "Strange as 
it may seem, the most typical of all infectious diseases, 
smallpox, scarlet fever, hydrophobia, etc., have as yet 
not yielded up their secrets.^' 

For years bacteriologists have been teaching the 
public, including the school children, that all contagi- 
ous diseases are caused by germs? Yes, and at the 
same time they admit they cannot find any germs that 
will produce the diseases? Exactly; every bacteriolo- 
gist knows this to be true. 

Have they ever found a germ that would ever cause 
a disease of the heart, brain, liver or kidneys? No. 
Many people suppose that germs have been found that 



GERMS. 89 

will produce each of tlie diseases just named, but this 
is not true. It is true, however, that at one time bac- 
teriologists found certain germs which they claimed 
would produce some of the diseases, but not all; and 
as already stated, they themselves proved by later de- 
velopments that they were mistaken. In order to show 
the remarkable efforts which they put forth to prove 
the presence of the germ, permit the author to quote 
briefly from the Washington Star of June 18, 1900: 
The question of hydrophobia was discussed, and the 
statement was made that the disease was "Almost cer- 
tainly caused by a living germ^^ (Ahem). 

But let us admit for a moment that hydrophobia is 
caused by a germ. Bacteriologists teach that all germ 
diseases are contagious. Is hydrophobia contagious? 

Good Lord deliver us from the trials, perplexities 
and tribulations of a germ doctor. 

If acute diseases are caused by germs as claimed, 
and an antitoxin prepared from the diphtheria germ 
as described, will cure diphtheria, then we must believe 
that antitoxins prepared in like manner from each 
variety of germs which they claim cause other diseases 
will also cure, as already stated. Yet everyone under-, 
stands that antitoxin will not cure any of the diseases 
just mentioned. 

"Will antitoxin cure — 

Pneumonia ? 'No. 

Typhoid fever? ^o. 

Tetanus or lockjaw? No. 

Smallpox ? No. 

Hydrophobia ? No. 



90 MICROBES AKD HEALTH. 

Yellow fever? No. 

Cholera ? No. 

Scarlet fever ? 'No. 

Measles ? No. 

Influenza ? No. 

Diphtheria ? No. (See antitoxin for diphtheria.) 

Bubonic plague? No. Neither will it cnre any 
other disease. 

Health boards know these statements are true, yet 
they continue to send out their delusive advertisements 
concerning antitoxins, and incidentally, of course, they 
advertise themselves at the same time. 

The true doctor thinks of his laborious duties, his 
constant study over perplexing medical problems, his 
gradually acquired knowledge of drugs, of symptoms 
and of the laws of health; then he looks at a vial of 
antitoxin, he reads the outrageous price asked for the 
humbug, he hears the imbecile scientific prattle which 
supports its claims, he thinks of giving a patient poi- 
soned serum depraved by the septic processes going on 
in the animal from which it was obtained, then he 
laughs long and softly as he thinks: "What fools we 
mortals be!^' 

For years germ theorists have taught that milk, 
used as food, has been a more or less common source- 
for the spread of tuberculosis, or consumption. In 
fact, so widespread has a belief in this teaching become 
that many states have enacted laws resulting in the 
destruction of vast numbers of cattle, supposed to 
have been infected with the so called consumptive 
germ; but we now learn that the evidence upon which 



GERMS. 91 

this wholesale destruction has been carried on is merely 
a supposition, like other germ theories. 

Page 157 of the Medical Visitor for March, 1900, 
contains the following article taken from the Medical 
Standard: "An Article on the Subject of Bovine 
Tuberculosis (consumption in cattle), written by Dr. 
Edward Moore, the well known veterinarian of Albany^ 
K Y., has appeared in the New Yorlc Medical Journal. 
An experience with thousands of cases of bovine tuber- 
culosis has qualified him to speak with a certain degree 
of authority. Dr. Moore quotes the bacteriological evi- 
dence of Dr. Theobald Smith, of the United States 
Agricultural Department, Washington, D. C, showing 
that the so called consumptive germ found in man and 
that found in cattle are entirely different. As a fur- 
ther proof of his position Dr. Moore finds an abundance 
of clinical evidence in the every-day lives of people who 
are constantly exposed to the infection from bovine 
tuberculosis. It is self-evident that if transmission is 
possible, the farms where large numbers of infected 
cattle are kept are places where the fact can be best 
observed, because nowhere else in the world is there so 
much infected material; nowhere else are the bacilli 
so potent; nowhere else are people so exposed to the 
danger, if any exists, and at these places, feeding and 
inhalation experiments, so to speak, are constantly going- 
on, and yet personal acquaintance with the lives of 
hundreds of people exposed to every-day infection with 
these germs, and extensive inquiry, have failed to reveal 
a sino;le case of tuberculosis contracted in this manner."' 



92 MICROBES AKD HEALTH. 

"Evidence of a similar character is given by Prof. 
Adams in an address delivered at the meeting of the 
€anadian Medical Association/^ 

The presence or absence of germs signifies but little 
except to the bacteriologist, to whom germs are the 
chief source of power. They are sounding the notes 
•of alarm to call the attention of the dear people to this 
new danger, and save them from the horrible fate of 
the streptococcus; and strange enough, each of these 
sentinels, these sympathizers, is ready to prove his sin- 
cerity by offering a means of escape in the form of an 
antitoxin, prepared from dumb brutes. These anti- 
toxins are manufactured by the bacteriologists them- 
selves, who offer them for sale at a price that would 
cause the Standard Oil Company to blush with shame. 
Their real value can be expressed by the figure 0. 

For years, the more advanced( ?) bacteriologists have 
been brooding in the laboratories over test tubes and 
microscopes, working with the various liquid mediums, 
raising little bugs, and by injecting them into animals 
they have been trying to disclose the mysteries of dis- 
ease. By this means they have daily arrived at new 
and more important conclusions. These conclusions 
have emanated from the sacred incubators, which were 
presided over by the professors themselves. Many of 
these incubators are in G-ermany, and the others ought 
to be. These discoveries would be of vastly more bene- 
fit if kept secret within the walls of the renowned insti- 
tutions in which they were born. Bacteriologists pub- 
lish sensational accounts of the dire evils which would 
happen to the people if it were not for their deep study 



GEEMS. 9JJ 

and watchful care. When we read the glowing ac- 
counts of these life preservers we feel that "life, liberty 
and the pursuit of happiness" are little enough to give 
in return. But, alas, after the bacteriologists have 
reached the topmost wave of prosperity, it is discovered 
that germs are not at all diagnostic of disease, for to- 
day it is well known that any germ that ever twisted 
or wriggled may inhabit the human body without pro- 
ducing sickness. 

Since bacteriology is supported largely by State 
Boards of Health, and as these health boards have al- 
most unlimited control of all infectious disease, refer- 
ence to this organization may not be out of place. First, 
let us notice their system of advertising. The following 
is from the regular published statements of the board 
itself. To a recent inquiry sent to one of our State 
Boards, asking the means used to warn the people of 
the presence of a certain disease, the secretary replied 
in the Grand Ledge Micliigan Independent, under date 
of October 19, 1900, as follows: 

"The means used to warn the people are numerous, 
and the state pays for such sanitary work. Every case 
of disease dangerous to the public health must be re- 
ported to the secretary of the State Board. The secre- 
tary sends a package of leaflets and requests their dis- 
tribution among the neighbors of the premises plac- 
arded. These leaflets warn the neighbors of a danger- 
ous communicable disease," etc. In the same article 
the secretary states : "Some of the means used by the 
office of the State Board of Health to warn the people 
are regular bulletins issued weekly and monthly, and 



94 MICROBES AKD HEALTH. 

sent to editors of newspapers and others; by special 
hektograph items sent from time to time to newspapers 
throughout the state ; letters, telegrams, telephone mes- 
sages, etc/^ According to this, State Boards of Health 
are permitted to nse, free of charge, every known means 
for conveying thought or speech. 

Is this the reason the public hear so much about 
germs and germ diseases, and is it the reason people 
become so frightened whenever a contagious disease 
enters a community ? 

"These leaflets — advertising sheets — warn the neigh- 
bors of a dangerous communicable disease." 

Does not such wholesale advertising create a sense 
of fear and dread wherever disease enters a commu- 
nity, and in many cases lower individual resistance and 
thus render disease more dangerous and fatal ? 

A belief that one is surrounded by germs from which 
there are no means of escape, and which are liable to 
bring sickness and death renders the individual more 
or less helpless and demoralized, and aids materially in 
the spread of disease, and in many cases may be re- 
sponsible for a fatal termination. 

In the March, 1900, number of Physician and Surgeon 
is the following: "When some months ago the report 
of the terrible deaths of several physicians in Vienna 
went through the whole civilized world — deaths said to 
be caused by an infection with the pest bacillus, the 
most deadty microbe yet discovered — the question was 
freely discussed whether such dangerous experiments 
should be carried on in the laboratory and hospitals. 



GERMS. 95 

and whether such experiments were not too reckless 
undertakings^ overrating human control over nature's 
forces. Vienna and the whole Austrian empire be- 
came panic-stricken. The impending danger of a 
murderous epidemic was thought of^ the principals of 
the laboratories were severly criticized, and an excited 
populace threatened to mob them. The power of the 
most minute organisms was brought to light, the mani- 
festation of their force was terrible, the sufferings and 
misery which they created in the limited circle where 
they were handled convinced even the most pronounced 
skeptic that bacteriology has not to deal with hypo- 
thetical questions, but with living factors.'' 

Why were the people of Vienna excited and "panic- 
stricken?" Because of the teachings of the bacter- 
iologists. 

What became of this "'murderous epidemic" that was 
about to break forth and produce such "terrible suf- 
fering"? Wh}', about that time the bacteriologists 
turned their attention to something else and the people 
forgot all about it. ^ 

Does this not prove what we claim, viz.: That 
the mythical teachings of bacteriology are the verj- 
best means of producing a panic in any commu- 
nity or country? And is it not also true that, while 
laboring under this condition of excitement the powers 
of resistance are lowered and people more liable to 
contract the disease? And the disease more liable to 
prove fatal? It is assumed that when any of the 
boards of health wish to secure the passage of a new 



96 MICKOBES AND HEALTH. 

law, they exert a little of the "Vienna infiiience" upon 
a body of "panic-stricken" legislatures and success is 
assured. 

Instead of advertising senseless panics, the individual 
physician should be allowed to show the true cause of 
disease, teach the influence of climatic and atmospheric 
conditions, the great benefits of cleanliness, temper- 
ance, regularity, diversion, contentment, etc. In a 
word, the ordinary laws of health. This would not 
only aid in rendering disease less prevalent, but would 
also aid in supporting the patient when disease is 
present. 

State Boards of Health claim that it is through their 
efforts that disease is becoming less. The secretary 
just quoted says, "And the statistics collected and pub- 
lished by the Secretary of State show that the death- 
rate has been less," etc. 

Who collects all statistics, makes all estimates, draws 
all conclusions and gives all credit to the board of 
health? Why the members of the board itself. And 
there is none to examine the verdict? None. There 
is only one side to the question presented? Only one. 

Quoting again from the above article the secretary 
says: "The introduction of sewerage and general 
water supply has been followed by the reduction of 
disease." "In those cities where there are sewers and 
a general water supply the death rate is very much less 
than in those cities without sewerage and general water 
supply." 

Exactly; and this sewerage and other sanitary science 
which mark the progress of our modern cities would 



GERMS. 97 

have been the same if bacteriological health boards had 
never been thought of. In this respect a company of 
business men could accomplish all that bacteriologists 
have ever accomplished and comparatively would cost 
nothing. 

The many ^^ncAv discoveries^^ which bacteriologists 
and the varions health boards claim to make remind 
ns of the horse presented to the young minister by his 
congregation. The yonng man^s father came to see 
him, and going ont to see the horse, exclaimed: 
"Conldn^t your congregation give you a better horse 
than that ?^^ "That is a better animal than our Saviour 
rode to Jerusalem/^ replied the young man, opening the 
animaPs mouth to examine his teeth, the old gentle- 
man exclaimed: "I believe it^s the same one!^^ 

Health boards have many of their "new discoveries" 
written up by the editor of some newspaper, or they 
may appear in pamphlet form, as did the following, 
which was issued by the Michigan State Board of 
Health for February, 1900 : 

A doctor living in Detroit is asking how to check an 
epidemic of measles, and wishes some advice from the 
Attorney General. Following is the Attorney GeneraFs 
reply, though not given in full. The reply introduces 
a new and novel feature in advertising, which is worthy 
the consideration of all who depend upon printers^ ink 
arrayed in many colors, with flashy headlines : 

"State of Michigan, Attorney General's Office, 

"Lansing, January 29, 1897. 
"Samuel P. Duffield, M. D., health officer of the City 
of Detroit : 



98 MICROBES AI^D HEALTH. 

"My Dear Sir — Yours of Jan. 21^ directed to Dr. 
Baker" (secretary State Board of Health), "in which 
you ask him to submit to me a hypothetical question, 
as to what course should be adopted by you in your 
efforts to suppress the epidemic of measles, which I 
understand is now prevailing in your city, has been 
duly considered," etc., etc. 

"The highest medical authority which I recognize in 
this state on such subjects is the Michigan State Board 
of Health," etc. In a pamphlet, "A Quarter Centu.ry 
of Public Health Work in Michigan," page 20, we 
understand the health board itself claims to be 
"The highest authority" on "What are the dangerous 
communicable diseases." 

What could the Attorney General be expected to 
know about "suppressing an epidemic of measles?" 

Why did Dr. Duffield submit this question to the 
Attorney General ? Judging from recent developments 
regarding the "immortal nineteen" it would seem as 
though the Attorney General of Michigan would have 
enough to do to attend to the duties of his office, but 
then he may have possessed the same commendable 
spirit as did the old lad}^, and the health board know- 
ing this in advance were sure of a favorable answer, 
and all will agree that when the Attorney General at- 
tempts to "suppress an epidemic of measles" in Detroit 
or anywhere else the proceedings ought to be published. 

The old lady referred to always had a good word for 
everybody, and a bet was made that she could be in- 
duced to condemn the acts of some one. The devil 
was chosen as the one as^ainst whom the old lady, it 



gee:m3. 99 

was supposed, would cast imfavorable remarks. After 
a brief mention of the wickedness going on in the 
world, and incidentally stating tliat the devil was the 
cause of it all. the old ladv was asked what she thought 
of the evil one. The reply was prompt: ^T think 
his persistency is truly commendable." 

If we wished to prosecute a criminal we would seek 
support from the Attorney General. If we wished to 
advertise ourselves we would seek aid from some gentle- 
man who, like the editor of the Laramie City Boome- 
rang, won the public heart and later held first place as 
writer and humorist. Of course all are acquainted with 
Mr. Xye as a writer, and the following is given here 
simply to call attention to his ability to write advertise- 
ments. Having a cow for sale, Mr. IsTye wrote a notice 
similar to the following : 

"Owing to ill health I will sell at my residence one 
pltish raspberry-colored cow. She is a good milkster, 
and is not afraid of the cars or anything else. She is 
of undulated courage and gives milk frequently. To 
one who does not fear death in any form she would be 
a great boon. She is much attached to her home at 
present, by means of a stay-chain. She is one-quarter 
shorthorn and three-quarters hyena. I will throw in a 
double-barrel shotgtin and a second-hand tombstone. 
I would prefer to sell her to a non-resident." 

We do not wish to be understood as advising health 
boards how to advertise, for we ttnderstand they are 
already proficient in that respect, in fact it is their pro- 
ficiency that suggested Mr. Xye^s name. 

Briefly noted, another evidence of their proficiency 

L.ofC. 



100 MICROBES AND HEALTH. 

is found in the following: "A Quarter Century of 
Public Health Work in Michigan/^ issued in July, 1898, 
by the State Board of Health, Chief Clerk states, on 
page 23: "In the report for 1897 will be found such 
a study that estimates that 149,296 cases of sickness, 
and 7,121 deaths have been saved during the seven 
years, 1890-'96," etc., etc. 

Page 24 states, "The money values saved to the tax- 
payers in Michigan through the work of the state and 
local health officials is enormous. 

"As stated in the preceeding head, during the seven 
years, 1890-'96, it is probable that there were saved 
149,296 cases of sickness and 7,121 "deaths from diph- 
theria, scarlet fever, typhoid fever and measles — four 
infectious and preventable diseases." 

In its annual report for 1897 the State Board of 
Health estimates that the total money value saved the 
people of Michigan is $6,973,680, or a little less than 
one million dollars per year. 

"In these estimates it is believed that each life saved 
represents at least $500 less than the price of a slave 
during war times, and each case of sickness avoided 
represents a saving of at least $40 for funeral expenses, 
etc."^ Some of the above quotation is under the head- 
ing, "Life Saving in Michigan." 

The reader is cautioned not to read the title, "Life 
Saving Machine." The words are similar, but the 
manner of operating is altogether different. Machines 
are generally operated by steam, while health boards 
are operated by theory. 

"One hundred and fortv-nine thousand two hundred 



GERMS. 101 

and ninety-six cases of sickness and seven thousand one 
hundred and twent3^-one deaths have been saved'^ in 
seven years. Who says so? Why, the health officers. 
How do they know? They "studied and estimated/' 
and then by placing the value of a human life at $500;, 
these same health officers tell us that they are saving 
the state nearly one million dollars a year. It will be 
seen that by shifting the studies, changing the "esti- 
mate" and increasing or diminishing the value of hu- 
man life, the profits may be correspondingly increased 
or diminished. 

The Michigan Health Board only claims to save the 
state one million dollars on four diseases. We are 
acquainted with a health officer from another state 
who claims they save three million dollars on one dis- 
ease. The difference is all in the "estimate" and the 
value placed on human life as mentioned. 

The health board claims that diphtheria and scarlet 
fever are "preventable diseases." To the writer's 
knowledge scarlet fever has been epidemic in a certain 
part of Michigan during the past three years, yet every 
case was under the control of a health officer. Why 
did not the health officers stop it ? 

Diphtheria was epidemic in Lansing, Michigan for 
many months during the year 1900. The health board 
had full control ; why did they not stop it ? Why did 
they allow it to "run its course," which it certainly did ? 
The writer has heard it freely stated that about the year 
1898 t3^phoid fever was notoriously prevalent and fatal 
in Philadelphia. Why did not the health board stop it ? 
Is this the way the board of health "prevents sickness 



102 MICEOBES AND HEALTH. 

and death ?" They claim their "saving to the taxpayer 
is enormous/^ and prove this by "studies, probabilities 
and estimates/^ Why this uncertainty? Because they 
are dealing in theory. 

Anything which health boards can do to establish 
and maintain cleanliness should be encouraged; that 
is the only thing they ever have or ever can do to pre- 
vent sickness or cure disease, and as stated elsewhere 
a company of business men could accomplish just as 
much in this direction and comparatively would cost 
nothing. 

In the foregoing quotation the health board states 
that "each case of sickness avoided represents a saving 
of at least $40 for funeral expenses.^^ According to 
this, every disease treated by the health board ends 
fatally, for if every case "avoided represents a saving 
of $40 funeral expenses," then every case where dis- 
ease develops must end fatally. In this case the health 
board is ^ to be congratulated for its honesty, for we 
are not acquainted with any other class of physicians 
who are willing to admit of so large a percentage of 
failures. 

Let us see what others think of health boards. In 
the discussion of a medical question in Detroit recenth", 
as reported on page 570, Physician and Surgeon for 
October, 1899, a prominent doctor said: "I certainly 
believe that the state of our society at the present time 
does not warrant any such measures as are being taken 
by the State Board of Health to-day. I do not think 
that the profession, as a whole, in this state will back 
up the State Board of Health in this connection, and 



GEEMS. 103 

one of the diffic-ulties is that the man who has charge of 
the hoard of health in this state is a man "who has never 
practised medicine. He is a man who gets all the 
knowledge he has on the subject from a study of the- 
oretical books. His knowledge is the knowledge of the 
laboratory and not of the practical.'^ 

Can men who spend much of their time in labora- 
tories inoculating and experimenting upon the lower 
animals understand much about disease, or appreciate 
the needs of the sick? The Pliysician and Surgeon for 
February^ 1900. contains an article in which is stated. 
page 85 : 'Taralysis has been assigned as the disease 
causing death in seventy cases in Detroit during the 
year, from July, "98, to June, '99, according to the 
Annual Eeport of the Board of Health just issued. 
People die of paralysis, convulsions and dropsy in 
Philadelphia, Xew York and in cultured Boston, ac- 
cording to the death record from these and other cities. 
Yet these are not diseases, they are only sjTuptoms 
which point to disease. Paralysis bears the same rela- 
tion to disease in the nervous system, that cough does 
to disease in the lungs, but health boards accept it as 
disease itself, and accept s}Tnptoms as the cause of 
death.^^ Are health boards "the highest medical au- 
thority?'*^ 

A pamphlet just issued by the Michigan State Board 
of Health says regarding disinfection: "For a room 
ten feet square three pounds of sulphur should be used; 
for larger rooms proportionately increased amounts.^^ 
According to bacteriology disinfection means to remove 
from or destrov certain grerms which thev claim are the 



104 MICROBES AN^D HEALTH. 

cause of disease. After a room has been used by one 
having a so called infections disease^ they order the 
room closed and fumigated with sulphur. Sulphur 
fumes cause a grimy deposit over the walls, furniture 
and other articles with which they come in contact; 
leave a disagreeable odor for days or weeks, and often 
cause an irritating and disagreeable cough among those 
occupying apartments in which sulphur has been 
burned. 

If it were true that germs cause disease, the burn- 
ing of sulphur would do no good, for sulphur fumes 
will not destroy germs. Merck & Co. are among those 
highest in authority. Eegarding the effect of sulphur 
fumes upon germs the April number of Merch's Ar- 
chives, page 159, states: "Such fumes have no effect 
upon dry spores and can only affect such germs as are 
in a moist condition.'^ It is needless to add that a dry 
room contains no germs in a moist condition, and that 
the fumes of sulphur are utterly worthless. 

Personal letters from other authorities contain these 
words: "Fumes of sulphur as ordinarily used in a 
dry room will not destroy germs." Every chemist in 
-the land understands that germs are not affected by 
sulphur fumes. The foregoing is mentioned simply 
to show the value in a community of bacteriology and 
its theories. 

If the air, walls, ceilings, floors, carpets, furni- 
ture and other contents of a room are wet with 
water or steam, and then exposed to the fumes of 
burning sulphur, many innocent germs might be de- 



GEKMS. 105 

stroyed. Everything else in the room would be de- 
stroyed also, for the fumes of sulphur (sulphurous acid) 
in the presence of water attracts oxygen from it. The 
fumes also attract oxygen from any and all kinds of 
colored goods. This would destroy them at once, as 
all colors contain oxygen. This increase in oxygen 
changes the weak sulphurous acid into the strong 
sulphuric acid, and this would destroy every article of 
clothing, carpets, curtains, upholstered goods, etc. 
True, these may be removed, but in most cases they are 
not, and if they were, the strong sulphuric acid would 
still attack the woodwork, first destroying the varnish 
and paint, and then affect more or less the wood it- 
self, leaving a black stain. 

The solution of a certain gas in water is called 
formaldehyde. Like the fumes of sulphur this is very 
irritating. It is sometimes used instead of sulphur 
fumes, but when sprayed into a room formaldehyde 
loses its strength in from ten to fifteen minutes. When 
exposed to air it undergoes a change and is destroyed. 
This fact renders it worthless for general use. 

We see that it is impossible for the ingenuity of man 
to destroy nature's weapons (germs). Pure air and 
sunshine are the only disinfectants, and the only pos- 
sible advantage in using sulphur fumes or formaldehyde 
is, that rooms in which they have been used require 
free ventilation for a long time in order to get rid of 
their irritating effects, and the fresh air thus secured 
will cleanse the rooms. It would have done the same 
thing without the so called disinfectants. 

It is well known that bacterioloa^y is, and always has 



106 MICROBES A^B HEALTH. 

been, supported principally by State Boards of Health. 
The members of these boards have created and are now 
filling many new offices, at a probable expense of many 
million dollars a year. Human nature is the same in 
the breast of a political doctor who is seeking office, 
as in the breast of any other politician seeking office. 
These are facts, and as such, we see no harm in 
stating them. Are boards of health the "highest medi- 
cal authority ?'^ 

Dr. Koch. 

Dr. Koch lives in Germany. Perhaps that is the 
reason a few American doctors once thought he 
possessed supernatural power. A few years ago Dr. 
Koch discovered a germ which he claimed was the cause 
of consumption. 

For a time Dr. Koch posed as a leader, but many of 
his followers have deserted him, and in the minds of 
others he is reduced to the rank and file. Soon after 
the discovery of his new bug Dr. Koch claimed to dis- 
cover a new remedy, which he called tuberculin. It 
should be remembered that in G-ermany it does not 
take long to discovery a new remedy. Most anything 
will do, so long as it is indefinite and profitable. It is 
admitted upon all sides that Dr. Koch never cured a 
single case of consumption with his tuberculin, but 
it is claimed he charged $25.00 for each hypodermic 
injection, and that he made a fortune out of it. Koch 
claimed to have discovered tuberculin, yet it has been 
stated in print that he did not discover it, but stole it 
from the true discoverer, Samuel D. Dixon, of Phila- 
delphia. 



1 



GERMS. 107 

Dr. Koch lias since prepared a substance called T. E., 
which he claims will cure consnmption. This prepara- 
tion is made from the germs themselves, as the doctor 
now claims they contain a substance that will cure the 
disease, and the care and attention to detail with which 
the doctor (Koch) prepares his T. E., is a perfect rcA^ela- 
tion of the ingeniiit}^ of a crazy Dutchman who lives in 
Germany. 

The doctor takes a culture of young germs which he 
claims are the cause of consumption. "He first dries 
the germs, then grinds them, then the product is sus- 
pended in water, then filtered and dried and pounded 
and thrashed and treated with drug solvents, washed 
and filtered and pounded again, then made into an 
aqueous solution, decanted and pressed.'^ But the 
doctor is not yet satisfied, and with sleeves rolled up 
and perspiration dripping from every pore, he still 
pursues the innocent germ. He places them in a 
centrifugal machine where any remaining life is whirled 
out of them. The resulting product is now called 
T. E. 

It has been suspected that the doctor, becoming dis- 
satisfied with his tuberculin, is equally ashamed of his 
second attempt, hence the abbreviation T. E. 

Has Dr. Koch ever cured a case of consumption with 
his T. E. ? 'No. Even that standard authority, Green's 
Patholog}^ page 314, says: "T. E., up to the present, 
seems to prove that it has no curative effect on tuber- 
culosis in man.'' Dr. Koch has had several years in 
which to prove the value of his claims, yet consumption 
is as fatal to-dav as ever. I know there are those who 



108 MICROBES AND HEALTH. 

give Dr. Koch much credit for the discovery of the 
germ which he claims causes consumption. Other 
investigators have discovered other germs which the}^ 
claim may cause consumption. And there may be 
varieties of germs not yet discovered which inhabit the 
lungs during this disease. 

Having utterly failed with his tuberculin and his 
T. E.^ Dr. Koch has, it is said, turned his attention in 
another direction. In the Chicago American of Sunday, 
October 7, 1900, Dr. Koch is quoted as saying: "That 
the total extirpation of malaria is possible by the use 
of the preparation which he has compounded." The 
same journal also states that Dr. Koch "regards it 
practicable by the addition of processes he has dis- 
covered, to purge every malarial district and keep it 
entirely free from malaria.'^ 

In this instance there is no reason to doubt that 
"history will repeat itself," and that Dr. Koch's secret 
remedy for malaria will prove as great a humbug as 
did his tuberculin and his T. E. 

At the present time Dr. Koch is being much dis- 
cussed by reason of the stand he has recently taken 
regarding bovine tuberculosis in man. For years State 
Boards of Health and bacteriologists have been teach- 
ing the public that cows milk may convey the disease 
(tuberculosis) from animal to man. Now, Dr. Koch 
is . quoted as saying that "human immunity to bovine 
infection disposes of the belief of the infection through 
dairy products, and he considers this source of danger 
•so slight as to be unworthy of precautionary measures." 

Dr. Koch had scarcely made his bow before the Brit- 



GERMS. lO^- 

ish Congress before many xVmerican "bacteriologists 
claimed they never said there was danger in dairy 
products; that is, not so awful mnch danger, and that 
it wonld only be kind o^ dangerous like if yon took to 
mnch. 

That reminds ns of another class of people who, 
after spending- a lifetime in trying to prove the earth 
flat, said, after denial was useless, that they never 
claimed the earth was flat; that is, not so awfnl flat; 
that they always knew it was kind o' rounding like. 

In the foregoing there is nothing original with Dr. 
Koch. Prof. Moore of Albany, N". Y., and Prof. Theo- 
bold Smith of the United States Agricultural Depart- 
ment, Washington, D. C, proved some time ago all that 
Dr. Koch claims at the present time. Prof. Adams 
also gave similar evidence some time ago before the 
Canadian Medical Association. Doctor Thomas J. 
Mays, professor of diseases of the chest in the Phila- 
delphia, Pa., Polyclinic, etc., etc., and a well known 
authorit}^, in his new book. Consumption, Pneumonia, 
and their Allies, page 191-4, presents indisputable evi- 
dence that man is not susceptible to bovine tuberculosis, 
and this information dates back nearly one hundred 
and fifty years. 

But then, it is much easier for Dr. Koch to discover 
something that has been discovered before. This gives 
him the same opportunity to advertise himself; to talk 
learnedly and extravagantly about wonderful discover- 
ies; about the progress of medical science, stamping- 
out disease; prophylaxis, etc. Yet such shallow pre- 
tenses lack the penetration of thought, the practical 



110 MICEOBES Al^D HEALTH. 

turn of mind; the loyalty and devotion which the 
searcher after the eternal truths must have to coax from 
nature her secrets. 

For years America has been the dumping ground 
for more foreign therapeutic frauds than all the re- 
maining nations of the earth. Continental Europe 
seems to forget that every condition is the result of a 
natural cause; that every disease is the result of a 
natural cause^ and that every cure is the result of a 
natural cause. Yet, to this simple truth in philosophy, 
we shall come at last, when the serum therapy and the 
animal extract mania, which are dominated by unrea- 
sonable teachings, unillumed and unregulated by scien- 
tific intelligence shall have spent itself (at the cost of 
the public) and gone the way of its predecessors. 

Dr. Metsclmihoff. 

Doctor Metschnikoff is a Eussian. He is the one 
who first gave out the theory of the white blood-cor- 
puscles destroying germs. Like Doctor Koch, Metsch- 
nikolf for a time posed as a leader, and there have been 
a few American doctors so eager to follow in the foot- 
steps of some foreigner that they considered it a mark 
of distinction to quote Doctor Metschnikoff. 

Why are they silent regarding Dr. Metschnikoff's 
latest departure, which, according to recent published 
reports, claim in substance that Prof. Metschnikoff 
will discover a serum product of the lower animals 
which will prolong human life to two hundred and 
fifty years? The professor admits, however, that he 
is not beyond the laboratory stage. 



GEKMS. Ill 

Prof. Koch has been in the laborator}^ stage for 
many years. Prof. Metschnikoff says ^^an elephant 
lives three hundred years, therefore, a man onght to 
live two hundred and fifty." He says the decay of old 
age is brought on by poisons or germs, and their en- 
croachment upon plebeian cells. 

In explaining immunity, page 31, the bacteriolo- 
gists speak of the toxiphoric cells, and explain wh}^ 
hens do not have lockjaw. I wonder if they ever heard 
of the plebeian cells ? Dr. Metschnikoff says that each 
of the different organs requires a different serum, there- 
fore there will be a series of these serums. In closing 
the professor is quoted as saying, that "scientifically 
the possibility of prolonging human life is established, 
practically God only knows when we shall discover it." 

Scientifically Prof. Koch has been curing consump- 
tion for many years, practically God only knows when 
he will discovery the secret. Is it any wonder that 
Dr. Metschnikoff^s followers fail to come to his sup- 
port? 

Prof. Pasteur. 

Many people in this country have heard of Prof. 
Pasteur. This professor was a Frenchman, and did 
not propose to sit idly by and let his neighbor Metsch- 
nikoff absorb all the glory; for it is reported that 
at the Pasteur Institute a series of serums have been 
discovered, each of which is designed to regenerate 
some particular organ and prolong human life. 

We have heard much of Prof. Pasteur^s treatment 
for hydrophobia, yet he has probably never cured a 



112 MICROBES A^B HEALTH. 

case of this disease. There is certainly no evidence 
of such a cure, cannot be. First, because ninety per 
cent of the people bitten by "mad dogs" do not have 
hydrophobia; and second, because the disease may de- 
velop years after the person is bitten. 

At the recent annual meeting of the British Medical 
Association, Dr. George Wilson, an eminent English 
physician and medical writer, is quoted as saying: 
"Pasteur's treatment for hydrophobia is the merest 
charlatanism" — quackery. Again, it is claimed by some 
writers that hydrophobia in France has been steadily 
on the increase since Pasteur's antitoxin treatment was 
established. 

It requires but a moment's thought to see that in 
the treatment of hydrophobia Pasteur is as helpless 
as a babe. The cause of hydrophobia has never been 
discovered. The nature of the poison producing the 
disease is unknown. Therefore, any pretense to manu- 
facture an antirabic serum or antitoxin is a fraud. 

The following is quoted from a recent article on 
"Eabies and Hydrophobia," by James Howard Thorn- 
ton, C. B., M. B., B. A. Fellow of Kings College, 
London ; deputy surgeon general Indian Medical Service 
(retired) : 

"Eabies in reality is a very rare disease. The popu- 
lar belief to the contrary arises from the fact that 
various other maladies common in dogs are mistaken 
for rabies. It has been ascertained that only a very 
small proportion of the bites of rabid dogs convey the 
infection, hence the likelihood of a dog bite causing 
hydrophobia is extremely small. This was very plainly 



GEKMS. 113 

shown by the experience of the police in London dur- 
ing the prevalence of the Muzzling Order of 1885-*S6. 
In carrying out the duties of capturing stray dogs, the 
police received hundreds of bites, but in no single in- 
stance did any of these bites cause hydrophobia, though 
doubtless many of them were inflicted by rabid ani- 
mals. 

"The experience of the attendants at the Battersea 
Dogs* Home is even more striking. That institution 
had then been thirty years in existence. The bites in- 
flicted on the attendants during that time amounted 
to many thousands, some of vhich must have been re- 
ceived from rabid dogs. Xevertheless there has never 
been a case of hydrophobia among the attendants. A 
certain proof of the rarity of true rabies is to be found 
in the facts that the old vriters attached no impor- 
tance to it, and did not regard it as a serious danger to 
htiman beings, while the people at large paid no at- 
tention to it at all. ITntil a very recent period a mad 
dog was thought to be as rare as a black swan, and it 
used to be afiirmed that there never was more than 
one in England at a time. But now, a dog has only to 
appear excited or frightened or to behave in an untisual 
manner and immediately the cry of 'mad dog^' is raised, 
and the unfortunate animal is set upon and killed. 

**T was for many year's in medical charge of a large 
Indian district, with a population of nearly two mil- 
lions, and had under my superintendence several dis- 
pensaries, where at least a hundred thousand sick and 
injured persons, including numerous cases of dog bite, 
were treated every year. yet. with all this large experi- 



114 MIOKOBES AIs^D HEALTH. 

enee, I never saw a case of hydrophobia in a native of 
India, and I have reason to believe that the experience 
of others who have practiced in India is similar to mine. 

"The rarity of hydrophobia in Great Britain is shown 
by the statistics of the Eegistrar General, from which 
it appears that for the forty years ending 1877, the 
average annual death rate from this disease in England 
and Wales was considerably less than one to a million 
of the population. In 1862 only one death took place 
from this cause, while in Scotland only three cases of 
the disease were registered during the years 1855-'74, 

"It must be borne in mind that hydrophobia never 
results from the bite of a healthy animal, and further, 
that a very large majority of persons bitten by undoubt- 
edly rabid animals escape unharmed. The proportion 
who contract hydrophobia are variously estimated at 
from five to twenty per cent. John Hunter mentions 
a case in which out of twenty-one persons bitten by a 
rabid dog only one subsequently died from hydrophobia. 

"These particulars plainly show how foolish and un- 
reasonable are the periodical scares which have pre- 
vailed from time to time ever since public attention 
was drawn to this subject twenty years ago by the sen- 
sational proceedings of M. Pasteur and his followers. 
Those proceedings have produced a most disastrous 
effect upon the public mind by giving undo prominence 
to a very rare disease, and by needlessly magnifying a 
danger so slight and so remote as to be scarcely deserv- 
ing of notice. 

"Contrary to universal experience, the leading con- 
tention of M. Pasteur and his followers has always been 



GEEMS. 115 

that rabies among dogs and hydrophobia among hu- 
man beings are very prevalent and ever present dis- 
eases, which constantly demand immediate and careful 
attention. But it is clear from the preceding remarks, 
that this view is altogether erroneous. 

^'About 1880 M. Pasteur commenced his researches 
on hydrophobia, and in the course of a few years he 
announced that he had devised a system of inoculation 
by means of which the disease could be prevented in 
persons bitten by rabid animals, provided they applied 
for treatment before hydrophobia set in. 

"The great reputation of M. Pasteur as an eminent 
chemist, and a distingtiished man of science caused his 
views to be widely accepted throughout the civilized 
world, and great numbers of frightened, credulous peo- 
ple flocked to him for treatment. The notoriety of his 
proceedings, and the pernicious prominence which was 
given to an exceedingly rare disease, produced a verita- 
ble panic in the public niind, in so much that many 
persons, without the slightest reason, fancied them- 
selves in danger of hydrophobia, and groundless scares, 
resulting in foolish muzzling orders, have been quite 
common occurences ever since. 

"M. Pasteur varied his treatment several times, using 
subcutaneous injections of different strengths, the 
strongest being employed in what he called the inten- 
sive method. So many deaths, however, occurred from 
the intensive treatment that it was quickly given up. 

"Evidently M. Pasteur was not at all sure about his 
system. At first he declared positively that his method 
would protect all patients at any time before hydro- 



116 MICEOBES AND HEALTH. 

phobia set in, but subsequently he introduced many 
corrections and limitations, for which no scientific rea- 
son could be assigned. 

"For instance, he did not profess to protect unless 
the patient came to him within a fortnight of being 
bitten. He did not reckon deaths which occurred dur- 
ing the treatment, or within a fortnight after the treat- 
ment. He kept no record of the patients after the 
treatment was ended, and took no account of deaths 
occurring subsequently. He admitted that his inocu- 
lations produced only temporary effect, and that re- 
inoculation was necessary after a time, and he did not 
hesitate to claim as successful cases, any number of 
people who were in no danger of contracting the dis- 
ease, as well as cases which infringed any or all of 
these conditions, so long as they did not prove fatal. 
All these limitations were purely arbitrary, and were 
introduced one after the other, to account for and 
explain away deaths which continued to occur in spite 
of the Pasteurian treatment, though had that treat- 
ment been what M. Pasteur professed at first, these 
patients ought to have recovered. 

"The Pasteurian statistics, indeed, appear to have 
been compiled on the principle of ^Heads, I win; tails, 
you lose;' for all the patients who did not die were 
claimed as cures, while as many as possible of the fatal 
cases were eliminated on the ground that they were 
treated too late. Here is a striking illustration of this 
peculiar method: On the 14th of Januar}^, 1887, Lord 
Doneraile was bitten by a tame fox; he underwent the 
Pasteurian antirabic treatment eleven days later, and 



GERMS. 117 

» 

died, subsequently, from hydrophobia, owing (M. Pas- 
teur said) to his having come for treatment too late. 
But other patients, who came for treatment after 
periods longer than eleven days, and did not die, were 
claimed as cures. 

"Any kind of treatment can be made to appear suc- 
cessful in this way, and any quack remedy for hydro- 
phobia, such as that of the Eev. Dr. Verity, mentioned 
by Dr. Dolan in his work, entitled "Pasteur and Eabies, 
might show a similar, or even a larger proportion of 
alleged cures. Dr. Verity, indeed, claimed to have 
treated more than 2,000 cases without a single failure, 
so that, if the statistics are to be believed, his record 
is much better than that of Pasteur. 

"The Pasteurian system of treatment has been ex- 
tensively carried out in France since 1885, and had it 
been of any value it ought to have reduced the mortality 
from hydrophobia in that country. The very reverse 
is the case, for the average annual mortality from that 
disease in France from 1850 to 1885 was twenty-three, 
while from 1885 to 1890 it rose to thirty-nine, namely 
twenty-two among Pasteur's patients, and seventeen 
not treated by his method. Thus Pasteur's treatment 
has caused the death rate from hydrophobia to rise 
by sixteen per annum in his own country. It is worthy 
of note that a similar result has invariably followed 
wherever Pasteur Institutes have been established. 
Particular attention should be given to this argument, 
as it can neither be contradicted nor explained away, 
and it plainly shows the utter worthlessness of the 
Pasteurian treatment. 



118 MICROBES AND HEALTH. 

"It would have been far better for the world if M. 
Pasteur had never turned his attention to hydrophobia, 
as his proceedings have done much harm, and it can 
not be proved that his treatment has prevented the 
disease in a single instance. Pasteurism has been the 
cause of incalcuable suffering to animals, and an un- 
reasonable panic among timid, nervous people all over 
the civilized world, insomuch that some of them actu- 
ally developed nervous symptoms simulating hydro- 
phobia. 

"Besides all this mischief there is no doubt what- 
ever that these idiotic inoculations (to borrow an adjec- 
tive which Mr. Paget applies to the Buisson treatment) 
have directly caused the deaths of many unfortunate 
persons who were in no danger until they were induced 
to resort to them. 

"The apparent success of the Pasteurian antirabic 
treatment has been due to the circumstances that the 
vast majority of the patients were in no danger of 
hydrophobia, and that the fluid with which they were 
inoculated was generally inert, and therefore harmless. 

"The Pasteurian antirabic has been condemned by 
some very distinguished men, after prolonged and care- 
ful investigation. The late Professor Peter, of Paris, 
pronounced it to be altogether empirical and devoid of 
scientific basis, and he delivered a crushing indictment 
of it before the Paris Academy of Medicine, in which 
he pointed out that several of Pasteur's patients had 
died of a form of hydrophobia almost unknown hitherto 
in the human subject, but very closely resembling the 
disease produced by Pasteur in his laboratory rabbits. 



GERMS. 119 

In short, they had died not from a dog's bite^, but from 
the vims injected into their bodies by M. Pasteur's 
hypodermic syringe! In support of this terrible 
charge, Professor Peter produced a mass of incontro- 
vertible evidence which Pasteur's supporters have never 
attempted seriously to question. 

"Professor Colin, of the French veterinary school at 
x\lfort, criticised the Pasteurian statistics, pointing out 
that the certificates produced by the patients were worth 
nothing, having been drawn up by incompetent peo- 
ple, and that the post mortem examinations of the 
dogs were equally valueless, as they afford no certain 
evidence of rabies. He considered that the only way 
of arriving at a conclusion is by the prolonged observa- 
tion of the animal, which should be shut up and kept 
till the characteristic symptoms of rabies declare them- 
selves. 

"Professor Billroth declared the Pasteurian system 
of treatment to be a fiasco, and Professor Yan Frisch, 
of Vienna, made the following statement in his exhaus- 
tive report upon Pasteur's treatment: ^Eabbits and 
dogs which, without preceding infection, were subjected 
to the last mentioned strengthened inoculation for hu- 
man beings, were infected with rabies through that 
inoculation. Hence it may be inferred with great prob- 
ability, that this method of inoculation may likewise be 
seriously dangerous to man.' 

"Dr. Lutand, of Paris, condemned the Pasteurian 
antirabic treatment as not only ineffectual, but also 
dangerous, and cited the case of the postman, Eascol, 
in proof of this assertion. On the 28th of February, 



120 MICROBES AN^D HEALTH. 

1889, Eascol and another man were attacked by a dog 
suspected of being rabid. In EascoFs case the dog's 
teeth did not penetrate the skin, but the other man 
was severely bitten. Neither of them wished to go to 
the Pasteur Institute, but Eascol was compelled by the 
French postal authorities to do so. He remained there 
under treatment from the 9th to the 14th of March, 
and on the 26th he resumed his duties. On April 12th 
severe symptoms set in, with pain at the points of 
inoculation, not at the bite, for he had not been bitten. 
On the 14th of April he died of paralytic hydrophobia, 
which evidently must have been caused by the Pasteur- 
ian inoculations. The other man who refused to sub- 
mit to this antirabic treatment remained well, though 
he had been severely bitten by the suspected dog. This 
is a crucial case, and comment is unnecessary. 

"Dr. Charles Bell Taylor, of Nottingham, in his 
article in the National Review of Jul}^, 1890, gives the 
following cases, which furnish decisive proof that hy- 
drophobia is sometimes brought on by the Pasteurian 
inoculations: Leopold Nee was bitten at Arras, on 
November 9, 1886. He was subjected to the Pasteurian 
treatment on the 17th and following days, and died of 
hydrophobia on December 17th, a month later. Tlie 
dog that lit him was perfectly healthy. 

"In July, 1887, Arthur Stoboi, one of the scholars at 
the Lyceum at Lublin, in Eussia, was bitten by a dog 
and immediately sent to the Pasteur Institute at War- 
saw, where he received the usual treatment by inocula- 
tion, and was discharged on August 11th, with a certifi- 
cate of cure, on the strength of which he was read- 



GEEMS. 121 

mitted to the Lyceum and resumed his studies. On 
November 9th, however, tliree months later, he felt 
pain in the region of the inoculations, and shortly 
afterwards he died of hydrophobia. Tlie dog that hit 
him remained quite well. 

"The groom of Signor Camello Mina was bitten by 
a sheep dog, and subsequently died of hydrophobia, 
after having been subjected to the Pasteurian treat- 
ment at Milan for a month. The dog had nothing what- 
ever the matter with it. 

"A young painter at Antwerp, named De Moens, 
when visiting a friend, was bitten slightly by his 
friend's dog. He was urged to go to Pasteur at once, 
which he did, and was subjected -to the Pasteurian 
antirabic treatment from the 20th of March to the 
2nd of April, 1889. After his return he was suddenly 
attacked by hydrophobia, and died on May 17th, 1889. 
The dog that lit him remained 'perfectly well. 

"It is quite evident that these persons died from 
hydrophobia, communicated to them by the Pasteurian 
antirabic treatment, and I challenge Lord Lister, Mr. 
Stephen Paget and the other advocates of Pasteurism 
to explain these cases otherwise if they can." 

Roherts' Lymph. 

France and Germany will not be allowed to carry off 
the laurels without a struggle, for we have aspirants in 
our own country, who are bearing in their arms life- 
preservers and prolongators of all kinds. 

At present there is being manufactured in this coun- 
try a lymph compound, combined with "vitalized ex- 



122 MICKOBES AND HEALTH. 

tracts/^ This is called "Eoberts' Lymph Compound/' 
and the manufacturers state that "physicians of the 
highest standing and attainments agree that no other 
scientist has even attempted the problem, which this 
firm has positively solved/' 

The same pamphlet states that "the physicians in 
charge of the institute where the lymph is used were 
formerly professors in leading colleges." 

Since those in charge of the institute were former 
professors, perhaps they themselves are the ones re- 
ferred to as "physicians of the highest standing and 
attainments" that claim so much for the lymph com- 
pound, and especially since it is customary for the 
manufacturers of secret mostrums to sound their own 
praises. 

The manufacturers tell us the lymph is taken from 
young animals. They say, "The nutritional changes 
are studied in the bones of old dogs or cattle." The 
doctors give tabulated results of experiments on "com- 
mon cur dogs." How interesting that must be to a 
sick man or woman. They say the dog's bones will 
be photographed. And it is suggested that patients 
wishing to study the bones of "common cur dogs" send 
in their orders early and avoid the rush. The manu- 
facturers claim the lymph will cure nearly all the dis- 
eases that affect the human race, and add that be- 
sides the lymph and animal extracts, which are in- 
jected under the skin, patients are given a supportive 
nutritive remedy, by the mouth, and are required to 
follow the rules of diet, hygiene, etc. 

Exactly. Happy thought! For the author believes 



GERMS. 12'S> 

that whatever benefit may be derived from this 
method comes through the common-sense treatment of 
diet and hygiene. 

The manufacturers name the goat as one of the 
animals from which their precious lymph is obtained, 
and say that the goat is selected because it is the 
"toughest" of all animals. We would suppose that 
first place would be given to that quadraped of the 
horse genus — 

That greets you with a smile, 
Then gently telegraphs one leg 
And kicks you half a mile. 

The animal that so kindly feels 
While you're working round his head; 
But when you're working round his heels 
You're liable to drop dead. 

That animal with so little mane 

That broke his rider's back; 

Then he stopped a Michigan Central train, 

And kicked it off the track. 

That animal whose voice has never been sand- 
papered, or smoothed down on an emery wheel, and 
whose long anterior appendages move back and forth 
keeping perfect time to the hee-haw, hee-haw, hee-haw 
— haw — a — a 

It would seem that this animal would be more con- 
genial to all who manufacture antitoxin, lymph com- 
pound or animal extracts. More congenial because 
naturally more companionable. 

The manufacturer says: "A large number of insti- 
tutes will be opened all over the country," and that. 



124 MicEOBES a:n^d health. 

"these institutes are not advertised, or otherwise nn- 
prof essionally conducted/^ Again, he says : "I do not 
wish to extensively infringe upon or anticipate the 
publication of Dr. Roberts," yet "physicians of the 
highest standing and attainments agree that no other 
scientist has even attempted the problem which Dr. 
Eoberts has positively solved." 

Can patent medicine manufacturers advertise in 
bolder language ? From time immemorial the savages 
have eaten the hearts of their enemies to give them 
courage. It is said our ancestors were in the habit of 
drinking soup made from calves' lungs to fortify their 
own lungs. Then a few doctors with high-sounding 
names told us to take preserves made from the brains 
and kidneys, to take extracts made from the thyroid 
and other glands of the lower animals. That was the 
age of animal extracts and comes down to a very recent 
date. In fact, a few of these dishes in the form of 
antitoxins, lymph compound and elixir of life are still 
on the market, just to remind us of the barbaric past. 
We understand that the lymph compound is manufac- 
tured in secret and that the doctor who is allowed to 
use it must buy his territory the same as a man who 
buys territory for a patent right, and having bought 
the territory, he must next buy the lymph at a cost of 
thirty-six dollars for one and three-fourths ounces. 

We laugh at the superstition of the middle ages, 
when the alchemist tried to transmute or change the 
baser metals into gold and to discover the elixir of 
life, but the manufacturers of serum therapy have 



I 



GEKMS. 125 

imbibed the same spirit, and now seek the elixir of life 
in the stale and filthy serums of the lower animals. 
Yet snch delirium will not satisfy the searcher after 
the eternal truths which underlie all nature, for he 
will take his stand upon justice, reason and common- 
sense. He will always regard with abhorrence and dis- 
gust any so called discovery of science emanating under 
the cover of secrecy, as in the case with antitoxins, 
animal extracts, lymph compound, etc. 

Taking filthy extracts from certain glands of the 
lower animals and injecting them into a human being 
is revolting, and the practice is disgusting. 

Dr. Eoberts is not alone in performing miracles. In 
Buffalo, N. Y., there is a man who cures people after 
they have had "eighty-one hemorrhages from the lungs, 
sometimes spitting five pints of blood at one time.'^ 
Five times eighty-one is four hundred and five pints, 
equal to about four hundred and five pounds. The 
weight of the body is thirteen times the weight of the 
blood it contains. Thirteen times four hundred and 
five is five thousand two hundred and sixty-five pounds. 
People who live in Buffalo must grow very large. 
Some stories are too thin, but this one is too thick. 

If Dr. Pierce, the advertiser, can cure a man who 
has had eighty-one hemorrhages of five pints each, per- 
haps he can cure a man who has had eighty-two hemor- 
rhages of six pints each. In fact, it is not unreason- 
able to suppose that all manufacturers of secret nos- 
trums, whether patent medicines, antitoxins, lymph 
compound or animal extracts, are playing a game with- 



126 MICROBES AlsB HEALTH. 

out limit. No names have been purposely selected qt 
mentioned. The object is to show the tendency of the 
quack. 

Is serum therapy a fraud or not? In this world we 
believe that perfect humanity is the highest ambition 
of the creative power. That statement is rendered 
indisputable from the perfect life sent to guide our 
erring footsteps. Has the Divine Intelligence placed 
in the hands of a few scheming operators the means of 
reaching that higher plane ? 

Modern improvements in hygiene may increase the 
average duration of life, but it will not extend the 
maximum, neither will elixirs, serums, antitoxins or 
animal products prevent the natural decay that comes 
with declining years. These simple truths will remain 
and grow brighter after the collapsed germ theories, 
and the departed serums have passed out of human 
memory. 

Are germs the cause or the result of disease? the 
result. 

All tissue destroyed by disease must be reduced — 
converted into pus, gasses, etc., before it can be 
eleminated. 

Bacteriologists admit this can only result from germ 
action. 

In germ life the same System of repair and waste 
takes place as in all other forms of living matter, the 
waste produced by the germ's is called ptomains and 
bacteriologists claim these act as a poison. 

Some authorities claim it dpes not, yet admitting the 
ptomains are poison, all bacteAology can claim is that 



GERMS. 127 

they are more dangerous than the dead tissues which 
they reduce. Is this true? 'Ro, for if nature has 
designed germs the medium by which dead tissues shall 
be removed;, and at the same time rendered the germs 
more dangerous than the dead tissue, then nature has 
made a fatal mistake. 

All admit nature makes no mistakes. 

If germs are not the cause of disease, what is? 
What is the cause of epidemics, contagion, etc.? 
How does disease spread? Undoubtedly some epidem- 
ics are caused by atmospheric changes. It cannot be 
otherwise, because its appearance is so sudden and wide- 
spread. It occurs almost simultaneously in different 
parts of the country. It has been observed on land 
and ship at the same time. This applies especially to 
influenza or grip, ^Tiay fever,^^ etc., yet there are dis- 
eases that cannot be accounted for in this way. Ee- 
garding these, one of the world^s greatest physiologists, 
the late W. B. Carpenter, is quoted as saying: "What 
is it that determines the infective nature of disease 
germs?" This something appears to be supplied by 
overcrowding the patients thus affected. Overcrowd- 
ing means deficient air-supply, and deficient air-supply 
means deficient oxygenation of the blood, producing 
an accumulation in the circulating current of those 
waste products which are normally eliminated as fast 
as they are produced. Just thirty years ago I showed 
that all the known predisposing causes of epidemic 
diseases might be generalized under one expression, 
viz., the accumulation of decomposing nitrogenous mat- 
ter in the blood, either from without as foul air, impure 



128 MICROBES AND HEALTH. 

water, or putrescent (decayed) food, or through its 
excessive generation within the body — as by unusual 
waste tissue, or by an obstructed elimination of normal 
waste — such as results of bad ventilation, or the mis- 
use of alcoholic liquors. And I showed that zymotic 
poisons (poisons resulting from diseased fermentation), 
which have no action on pure blood, will increase by 
seizing upon this appropriate pabulum (accumulated 
waste in the system), multiply in it, thus setting up 
a zymosis (diseased fermentation) in pure blood, just 
the same as the growth and multiplication of yeast- 
cells take place at the expense of the nitrogenous mat- 
ter in wort, and affects the transformation of sugar 
into alcohol." (Wort is unfermented infusion of malt. 
When fermented the sugar is converted into alcohol 
and it becomes beer.) 

Prof. Carpenter says in substance that pure blood 
or a healthy system is not affected by the poisons re- 
sulting from diseased fermentation, but such poisons 
will develop upon waste matter if such waste accumu- 
lates in the system, just the same as yeast-cells will 
develop in the unfermented infusion of malt. On page 
20 it is stated that the tissue change, repair and 
w^aste, which takes place in the body, is a process of 
fermentation. When the body is diseased the products 
of such fermentation act as a specific poison or virus, 
and by means of such specific virus disease may be 
communicated from one to another. 

What is specific poison or virus ? It is a product of 
dead tissue and may result from the destruction of 
tissue during disease, or may be found in dead bodies. 



GERMS. 129 

That is why it is so dangerous for the student or 
operator to cut his iinger while dissecting a dead body, 
and also why it is so dangerous for a barber to cut him- 
self while shaving a corpse. 

Virus contains no living organisms, and produces no 
effect in a healthy system, because the healthy system 
contains no waste upon which the virus can act. That 
explains why some escape disease while others are af- 
fected. 

Specific virus; i. e., contagious matter, if brought in 
contact with living tissue, as the stomach or any part 
of the body, seeks to enter into combination with it and 
effect decomposition. This tendency is opposed by the 
A'itality of the part, and the result will depend upon 
their respective strengths. In a healthy system the 
contagious matter is overcome and digested or de- 
stroyed, and there is no disease. When, however, the 
body contains an abundance of waste matter, the con- 
tagium acting as a ferment sets up fermentation in 
this waste and disease results. The disease is mild or 
severe in proportion to the amount of waste in the 
system, plus the amount furnished during the disease. 
The contagium or specific virus acts as a ferment just 
as the yeast-cells act as a ferment. 

As already stated, there are many kinds of fermenta- 
tion; as the alcoholic, the conversion of sugar into 
alcohol and carbonic acid; acetic, the convertion of 
alcoholic solution into vinegar; lactic, the production 
of lactic acid in milk; putrefactive, the decomposition 
of dead matter, etc., etc. 

All understand that each of these different kinds 



130 MICROBES A^D HEALTH. 

of fermentation are caused by a different ferment^ and 
is the result of a natural law. So, also, each of the 
different infectious diseases is caused by a different 
ferment in the form of a different poison, and is the 
results of a natural law. 

Is there any evidence that a specific poison and not 
a germ causes disease? Yes, and in obtaining such 
evidence the hog was chosen as a proper animal upon 
which to experiment, the operators claiming that the 
hog is nearest to man, and surely there are some who 
will not question this part of the statement. 

"Take a hog or a number of them, and inject them 
with the so called cholera germ, there will be no re- 
sults. They will never miss a feed. 'Now take some 
virus from a cholera-stricken hog, kill all organisms 
with carbolic acid. ISTow inject the virus into an- 
other hog, and it will contract the true disease, hog 
cholera. Now make a culture from one of the diseased 
hogs, and the germ will be found in it, showing that 
while the germs cannot produce disease they inhabit 
the body after disease is established/^ 

The same is true in man. According to the bacteri- 
ologists the hogs injected with the germ should have 
developed the disease, and those inoculated with the 
virus should have developed blood-poison. This ex- 
planation clears up the cause of all infectious disease, 
while the germ theory only adds to the mystery, be- 
cause the bacteriologists can find no germ to produce 
disease in man. 

The question might be asked, what is the difference 
whether a germ or a specific virus causes disease? 
The specific virus causes fermentation, is just as sure 



GEEM3. 131 

to spread, and is just as dangerous in its effects as 
the charges that have been made against germs. 
The difference is, the specific virus can only emanate 
from a person having the disease, while germs are 
present in countless numbers at all times and places. 
If exposed to pure air and sunshine, as in proper 
ventilation, specific virus will lose its power to pro- 
duce disease. This is self-evident, otherwise the virus 
from the first case, beginning with the creation of 
man, would have remained with ever increasing force, 
gathering a fresh supply from each succeeding patient, 
and if there was a man left to write a history of the 
world he could only chronicle epidemics, disease and 
death. There would be no time for wars or politics, 
but plagues, pestilence and famine would fill every 
page, for every man, woman and child would be ex- 
posed again and again to each infection, while to-day 
comparatively few have disease. Even Pasteur, of hy- 
drophobia fame, is quoted as saying : "That the excit- 
ing cause of disease can be weakened and destroyed out- 
side the body by a natural agency, pure air.^^ 

While pure air and sunshine will destroy specific 
virus, it will not destroy germs. Bacteriologists claim 
that germs are '"attenuated," "destroyed," etc., by fresh 
air and sunshine. Bacteriologists do not know whether 
they are or not. Certain conditions may render germs 
inactive, and later they may be as frisky as ever. This 
is proven by the extremes of heat and cold which germs 
can bear without being destroyed. Germs that have 
been subjected to a heat of 30.2 degrees F. and a cold of 
2-iS degrees F., have afterwards been found to grow vig- 
orouslv in favorable stirroundin2"s. This is ninetv de- 



132 MICEOBES AKD HEALTH. 

grees above boiling water and two hnndred and sixteen 
degrees colder than ice. Even if it were trne that fresh 
air and sunshine destroy germs, the results are the same, 
for germs are as numerous to-day as one thousand or one 
million years ago, and they will be as numerous one 
million years hence as they are to-day. The bacteri- 
ologist who tries to destroy germs would be equally as 
successful if he would try to destroy matter. 

Yet, we admire the determination with which the 
bacteriologist clings to theor}^ It reminds us of the 
words — 

If you strike a thorn or rose, 
If it hails or if it snows, 
Keep a-goin'. 

'Tain't no use to sit and whine 
Cause the fish ain't on your line, 
Or if the weather kills your crop 
And you tumble from the top, 
Keep a-goin'. 

Spose you're out of every dime, 
Tell the world you're feelin' fine, 
If you get broke it ain't no crime, 
Just keep a-goin'. 

It also reminds us of the story of an aged minister, 
who believed every word of the Bible, and everything 
else that appeared in print. Especially did he tie to 
"Gospel Songs No. 2." The choir wished to change 
and get something more up-to-date, but the aged min- 
ister would not have it. One day some young rascal 
pasted into the copy of hymns devoted to the pulpit a 
printed slip of another kind of music. The pasting 
was so deftly done that no eye could detect it. The 



GERMS. 133 

following Sunday the good man opened by chance to 
read the first hymn — he always opened by chance — he 
opened to the pasted page and began to read, in a deep 
voice : 

"I'm a double-jointed huckleberry aching for a fight." 

So determined was the good man to cling to Gospel 
Songs No. 2 that he read the first line through without 
stopping. He shut the book on his finger, looked at 
the cover and saw the words, "Gospel Songs No. 2" 
That settled it and he read the second line : 

"I can eat a pound of liver, beef or pork," 

The aged man closed the book again, scrutinized the 
cover — ^twas all right; it bore the words "Gospel Songs 
'No. 2" — ^but there were smiles in the audience and 
other evidence of unbelief, showing a lack of confidence. 
However, the good man remained undaunted, and so 
determined was he to cling to Gospel Songs Fo. 2 that 
he re-adjusted his glasses and read more firmly than 
before : 

"I can whip a pair of catamounts and eat 'em, when I'm 
tight," 

"Brethren,^^ said the good man with a puzzled look, 
"I don^t remember seeing those words in this book be- 
fore, and holding the book up to view he exclaimed, 
'^Dut this is Gospel Songs No. 2," and his voice grew 
louder and firmer as he said : "I will read the remain- 
ing line of the first stanza:" 

"I'm a terror from the country, watch my smoke." 



CONSUMPTIOK". 

There are more deaths from consumption than from 
any other disease. It is estimated that in the United 
States alone more than one hundred thousand die an- 
nually from consumption. Why so many deaths from 
this disease? 

The ordinary case of consumption is no more nor less 
than a slow process of pneumonia or inflammation of 
the lungs. 

The lungs may be represented by a tree hanging with 
its top down. The body and limbs of the tree would 
represent the large and small air tubes. The body 
would represent the trachea or "windpipe/^ and the in- 
numerable branches^ their divisions and subdivisions 
would represent the smaller tubes, and three or more 
dilatations like a small hollow bead on the end of each 
twig would represent the air-cells. The air tubes open 
into the air cells, and both tubes and cells are lined 
with mucous membrane which is continuous from the 
mouth and throat. All are held together by a connec- 
tive tissue frame work. This frame work is elastic, 
hence the power of the lungs to expand and contract. 
The heart and lungs are the only organs through which 
all the blood passes. In the heart it simply passes 
from one cavity to another, but in the lungs it must 
pass through the intricate network of thin-walled ves- 
sels called capillaries. 



COi^^SUMPTIOK. 135 

The heart is a hollow muscular organ; a longitudinal 
septum or partition divides it into two lateral halves, 
which from their position are called right and left 
heart. A transverse septum; i. e., one extending from 
side to side^ again divides the heart into four cavities, 
two upper and two lower. The right heart controls 
the circulation through the lungs only, the left heart 
control the general or S3^stematic circulation. The dark 
venous blood from the whole system is received into the 
right heart, and sent through the lungs where it re- 
ceives ox3^gen from the air we breathe, and is returned 
to the left heart; this contracts and sends the bright 
arterial blood throughout the system. The right and 
left heart are really two organs molded into one, na- 
ture's method of economizing space and power. The 
heart cavities are lined with a delicate membrane which 
is continuous with that lining the arteries, picked up 
folds of this membrane form the valves which guard 
the openings between the cavities. 

The channels through which poisons are eliminated 
are the digestive tract, kidneys, lungs and skin. When 
food does not digest it ferments, and as a result there 
are many poisons produced. The veins of the stomach 
and those of the digestive tract unite to form the 
portal vein, and the portal vein enters the liver, hence 
many of the poisonous substances resulting from indi- 
gestion are carried direct to this organ. 

The liver tries to reduce the poison, but fails; its 
effects together with the irritation from the impure 
blood overcomes more or less its vitalit}^, and its action 
is interfered with, constipation follows, and the poi- 



136 MICROBES A^D HEALTH. 

sons in the system are increased. The waste interferes 
with the circulation in the small peripheral vessels, 
elimination by the skin is clogged, the kidneys do what 
they can, but are hopelessly behind all the time. There 
is one other avenue by which the system may purify 
the blood; the lungs. 

The lungs are supplied with two sets of vessels, 
which, from their minute size are called capillaries. 
The arteries divide and redivide until they penetrate 
all parts of the lung substance. One set of capillaries 
supplies nourishment, the other set envelopes the air 
cells for the purpose of absorbing oxygen from the air 
we breathe. This set of capillaries lay Just beneath 
the delicate mucous membrane which lines the cells. 

Animal membrane has the power of admitting gases 
(oxygen) and yet remain impervious to fluid (blood). 
It is estimated that here are six hundred million air 
cells in the lungs, and that their combined surface is 
more than seven times greater than the whole outer 
surface of the body. This surface is literally covered 
with small vessels (capillaries) through which the blood 
is continually pouring. Nearly all the blood in the 
body passes through the heart and lungs once every 
minute. One-twelfth of the weight of the body is the 
weight of the blood. This is equivalent to nearly two 
thousand pounds of blood which must pass through 
the lungs every twenty-four hours. 

The system of vessels which supply the lungs with 
nourishment, and the system through which the blood 
is oxydized are entirely separate. The SA^stem which 
nourishes the lungs is given off from the left heart. 



CONSUMPTION. 137 

while those that carry the blood for oxidation come 
from the right heart. The blood which is sent to nour- 
ish the lungs is bright red; that sent for oxidation is 
dark venous, and contains many impurities. 

Uric Acid. 

Uric acid is the product of metabolism or tissue 
change. Its chief source of supply is the liver. In 
health this uric acid is oxidized; i. e., unites with the 
oxygen from the air we breathe, is converted into urea, 
and the urea is eliminated by the kidneys. As stated, 
the return circulation carries many poisons from the 
digestive tract to the liver, heart and the lungs. Uric 
acid is also sent from the liver direct to the lungs. 
Every poison in the system is carried by the return cir- 
culation to the heart and sent direct into the lungs, 
and inflammation is a frequent result. 

The amount of oxygen inhaled grows gradually kss, 
and the oxidation in the blood of certain unfinished 
products is rendered less complete. The uric acid is 
not converted into urea, but remains an irritating sub- 
stance. 

Lactic Acid. 

Lactic acid exists in most parts of the body and is 
supposed to be derived from muscle tissue. The excess 
of this or uric acid is thought to be the cause of rheu- 
matism. In health lactic acid is also oxidized and 
converted into carbonic acid gas and water, and elimi- 
nated by the kidneys and lungs. But with the dimin- 
ished amount of oxygen taken into the system, this 



138 MICROBES AND HEALTH. 

change does not take place, and it, too, remains an 
irritating substance. These and many poisons from 
the digestive tract are being continually poured into 
the lungs, and thus the irritation and inflammation 
are increased. 

The return circulation already mentioned carries the 
septic blood to the right side of the heart and from 
there every heart-beat sends it into the lungs where 
it tries to pass through the capillary net work of small 
vessels. The result is engorgment or congestion, and 
a low form of inflammation as stated. Now some 
trivial occurrences as wet feet or exposure may result 
in a bronchial catarrh, which ordinarily is easily re- 
covered from, but with the lungs previously inflamed 
and their vitality at such a low ebb, the case becomes 
more chronic. 

Consumption is not "ketching" as claimed by some, 
but depends upon a train of conditions as briefly de- 
scribed. Months and years are required to develop the 
disease. The low form of inflammation means too 
much blood, and too much blood means an increased 
growth of the part. All parts of the body are pre- 
vaded by what is called connective tissue. This acts 
as a frame work and supports the different organs and 
the different parts of each organ, and all the tissues of 
the body. It is strong and fibrous, and in the form of 
tendon it joins muscle to bone. It also forms liga- 
ments, uniting the ends of bones and forming joints, 
it forms cartilage which covers the ends of bone, and 
thus prevents friction in joints. It is attached to the 
different organs holding them in position. It per- 



COKSUMPTIOK. 139 

meates all parts of the organs, and thus supports the 
different glands and specialized cells. It unites the 
skin to the deeper structures, in the form of loose 
meshes it forms a bed for the transmission of vessels 
and nerves, slightly modified it forms the frame work 
of the brain and spinal cord, it unites the spinal column 
— it forms thick layers between the vertebra. It forms 
cartilage, it is bright and glistening and forms the 
white of the eye, after forming framework for all the 
soft tissues it is itself supported by its attachment to 
bone. 

It has been stated that inflammation produces an 
over-growth of this tissue. In the low form of inflam- 
mation resulting from septic blood, the over-growth al- 
ways takes place in the connective tissue just men- 
tioned. As naturally supplied this tissue develops with 
the growth of the body, but when resulting from inflam- 
mation it invaribly contracts, and this fact renders it 
pathological or diseased. The inflammation and con- 
gestion means too much blood, and as a result of this 
overfeeding some of the connective tissue cells enlarge, 
and as the growth continues they divide and subdivide. 
Beginning in the form of small round cells, next they 
elongate and are called spindle cells, then fibre cells, 
and when the limit of their growth is reached they 
contract and become hard and fibrous. This new tis- 
sue takes no part in the work carried on by the organ 
in which it occurs, but crowds out more or less the 
natural, and the organ is weakened in proportion. As 
the new tissue continues to contract healthy tissue is 
caught in its meshes and destroyed. Its unyielding 



140 MICROBES AKD HEALTH. 

fibers untangles all structures. Blood vessels are 
caught in the contracting fibers and the circulation is 
lessened or cut off, and the parts supplied by such a 
vessel atrophies, degeneration follows. 

Every scar is an example of this kind of tissue. The 
scar looks light or dark in proportion to the number 
of blood vessels destroyed. A wound that is allowed 
to gap is filled in with this new connective tissue. A 
burn gives the best illustration of the contraction of 
connective tissue resulting from inflammation. As a 
result of burns many people have seen the hands or 
face drawn out of all resemblance to a human being. 
When affecting the liver, the organ is much shrunken 
and shriveled. It is called rum drinker's liver, and is 
caused by the prolonged use of alcohol. Alcohol also 
produces the same changes in the kidneys in some forms 
of Bright's disease. 

These changes take place more often in the lungs for 
the reasons given. The enormous amount of blood 
which is being constantly poured into these organs, if 
unhealth}^, will paralyze the delicate nerve fibers which 
control the size of the small vessels; the vessels dilate 
and too much blood is the result. In health the blood 
passes through the walls of the vessels sufficient to 
nourish the surrounding tissues, but now the amount 
is greatly increased, and the tissues are overfed, hence 
the overgrowth, as described. In the lungs the pres- 
sure from the smaller vessels and the new growth 
strangulates the circulation as elsewhere; while the 
'Contraction of the new growth obliterates many vessels. 



coxsu:mptiok. 141 

air cells and nerve fibers. Oxvdation is lessened^ nutri- 
tion is interferred with^ and vitality is bronglit to a 
low ebb. Page 136 states that the Kings were the 
other avenue by which nature may pnrify the blood; 
bnt elimination by this ronte is lessened, and inflamma- 
tion increased in proportion to the changes described. 

The amount of connective tissue overgrowth is al- 
ways in proportion to the amount of inflammation and 
septic blood. Contraction may continue until the 
lungs are only one-half or one- third their natural size. 
If inflammation and swelling are severe enough the 
tissue will be destroyed so rapidly that one or more 
abscesses may form, or gangrene may result. 

The description of the natural lungs as given, the 
septic blood with the formation of irritants producing 
a low form of inflammation as described, and the 
changes produced by such inflammation actually oc- 
cur and constitute what is called '''the regular old- 
fashioned consumption.^^ The result is perfectly na- 
tural, it could not be otherwse. Every doctor of exper- 
ience and every pathologist knows this to be true. 
These changes take place very slowly, that is why con- 
sumption is such a slow, lingering disease ; that is why a 
man with consumption may live five, ten or twenty 
years and sometimes die from other causes. And as 
already stated this is no more or less than a slow form 
of pneumonia or chronic inflammation of the lungs. 
The danger is increased by the irritation produced by 
dust as met with in mills, factories, stone quarries, iron 
works, etc. To prove this we have only to remember 



142 MICROBES AXD HEALTH. 

that those engaged in such work are more liable to con- 
sumption, and contract the disease much more fre- 
quently than those engaged in out door life. 

Tuberculosis. 

There is another form of consumption called tuber- 
culosis. In this form of disease the septic blood pro- 
duces or results in the formation of a poorly organized 
tissue in the form of little nodules or tubercles, hence 
the name tuberculosis. 

The tubercles are small nodular masses about the 
size of a millett seed (variable). Tubercles are formed 
as follows : First, an irritant, this excites inflammation 
and new growth. These new cells are sometimes called 
embryonic tissue, or granulation tissue, from their 
granular appearance. It is a form of connective al- 
ready described. When surrounding a tubercle or dis- 
eased spot in the lung it presents a firm resistant sur- 
face, and in the majority of cases checks the spread of 
the disease, and that is the reason so many recover 
from consumption. 

Tubercles are produced by a low form of inflamma- 
tion resulting from self-generated poisons in the sj^s- 
tem, as described. The tubercles do not contain blood- 
vessels ; their lack of nourishment and failure to organ- 
ize as healthy tissue leaves them without foundation. 
They are built from septic blood; they have but little 
vitality, and no duty in life, hence easily break down. 
Many new cells die; many white corpuscles lodge at 
these points loose their vitality and die. Blood vessels 
alwavs contain the elements of fibrin, and these ele- 



1 



coxsv^^nv. 143 

menis escaping iroiii tke swollezi vessels uriie in tlie 
i!iS2ii!inatory tissue, and togerhrr wirh T':ie ie^Tmc-iion 
: n:-~- :it~ cells, wzlzr zirrisilfs izi :t_1tI ~aste 
- : ::ii :!ie purDiezLT ii'tI "^__ __ :- tZ t :t :r- 
^ T I_ :. : rms of Clzsjzi : :z : Llt zz^^ tzt 
walls of the small air tiicTS zi Tz^ir dilated extremi- 
ties, the air cells are 'z: : zr zz zimatioii. and 
both are more or les- zli-:. — t_ : : ::^ial exudate, 
and embrronic tissue: sonr :z — lieh is easT :■- :rz:re 
it has time to mature. The changes ani : -ii:: z^ 
described are r^ponsible for the consolidan : z ^ r^^--" 
In quick consumption death occurs before many of the 
changes hare time to occur. 

The c-ause of quick consumption is. tzit Tie system 
is so OYereome with self-generated p is : ' s. as described, 
that d^enerative chanrrs ::: "z Trent pads of 

the body at the same rizii — :.5 :zf _ z_ ".eura. diges- 
tive tract, peri" : ze izz . zi Iz ejs, liz e : : z , er : . T z e s e 
cases prove n : i^aL 

In tubercTiliiis. i iihologists teach t"z?r f^e tubercles 
IrsT i:rzi in the mucous meni":riz- — z _ze the air 
<:z-z _zz :-OTTesponds exactly "zz : e statements 
Lzz ze : 1. e.. liiat each air ceB is -z^r z : f r enveloped 
in a net work of small vessels, z 1 .:: z^ z : ; = svstem 
of vessels the blood is C'ZZ z z: z z_ z :: zz- 

healthy and irritating proizc-s ^ 1zt7 z :z_ : z_z z_- 
mation which may lesult in tuberculosis. A ie i :r 
dying cell first becomes the center z: t z ~ z: .e by 
exciting izz?ini]^-3tion around it. Ze - Zt ^^ays 
excites ziz z z zlon. this is nature's z_t z^ :i check- 
ing diseese. Tze izlammation szrr : zndinsr the tuber- 



144 MICEOBES AND HEALTH. 

cles is the same as would surround a bullet or any other 
foreign body that might enter the lungs. The same 
condition is present with every abscess. The zone of 
new tissue which surrounds the tubercle or abscess 
constitutes the battle line; it is the struggle between 
the living and the dead. The same conditions are pres- 
ent in gangrene. It has been stated that a dead cell 
forms the center of a tubercle by exciting inflamma- 
tion around it; also, that dust aids in producing con- 
sumption. Dust may also aid in producing tubercu- 
losis. When the vitality of the lung tissue is at a low 
ebb, as descrbed, a small portion of dust from the mill, 
the factory, or that furnished by the stone cutter or 
iron worker, may lodge in an air cell and form the 
nucleus of a tubercle. Here, again, this class is more 
liable to this disease. 

Gases arising from low land, bad air, poor ventila- 
tion, lack of sunshine and exercise also aid in produc- 
ing consumption. 

Besides the reasons already given for consumption. 
Doctor Thomas J. Mays, A. M., M. D., professor of 
diseases of the chest in the Philadelphia Polyclinic, 
visiting physician to Push hospital for consumptives, 
etc., and recognized as one of the most able men in the 
profession, says in his 1901 treatise on consumption and 
pneumonia, that any pressure upon the nerves which 
supply the lungs, pressure from an enlarged artery 
(aneurism), pressure from a tumor, any inflammatory 
swelling, or pressure from enlarged glands may cause 
consumption. 

The lungs are supplied by two nerves which have 



CONSUMPTION. 145 

their origin in the lower and back part of the brain, 
at its junction with the spinal cord, and the pressure 
results in more or less degeneration of these nerves, 
and a corresponding loss of lung power. The power of 
respiration is lessened, oxydation is lessened, nutriti- 
tion is lessened, uric acid, lactic acid and other irri- 
tants already mentioned are increased, and degenera- 
tion of the lung tissue is a natural result. 

A tree cannot live without roots. The hand cannot 
live with a constricting band about the arm. An organ 
cannot live with its nerve supply pressed upon by 
tumors or inflammatory swellings. Degeneration will 
follow and the organs supplied by such nerves will 
suffer in proportion. 

Dr. Mays says that poison and irritation from syph- 
ilis, mercury and lead produces degeneration of many 
nerves including those which supply the lungs, and 
consumption is the most frequent termination. He 
records many cases of consumption caused by mercurial 
poisoning. Page seventy-nine, "seventy-one per cent 
of those who work in mercury mines or those exposed 
to mercury fumes die of consumption." "Consump- 
tion is a common inheritance of those engaged in mer- 
cury manufacture." Page eighty-four, "Consumption 
is from two to three times more prevalent among lead 
workers than among others living in the same locality." 

Lead and mercury are eliminated from the system 
slowly, hence their greater liability to accumulate and 
produce irritation and inflammation. Doctor Mays 
states that if recovery is not complete consumption is 
most apt to follow typhoid fever, whooping cough. 



146 MICROBES A^B HEALTH. 

measles, influenza, etc. Page 104, "Pulmonar}^ diseases 
and especiall}^ some form of consumption are some of 
the most common sequellae/^ 

Uric Acid. 

Doctor Mays mentions uric acid as another cause of 
consumption. Page 105, "It seems that the uric acid 
diathesis is in some way closely connected with, and is 
probably indirectly responsible for consumption." 

We have already mentioned uric acid on page 
137. On page 400 Doctor Mays says: "Among the 
toxic agents which have the power of engendering pul- 
monary consumption alcohol stands preeminent." 
i. Doctor Mays draws his conclusions from a large field 

\ of observation, and by means of post mortem examina- 

' ; tions by himself and many others in different coun- 

, "> tries. Such evidence cannot be successfully denied. 

'''-,% Dyspepsia is the mother of consumption. The irri- 

tation produced by mercury, lead, syphilis and the vari- 
»>"''- ■ .^.^Piis-^ other poisons mentioned all interfere with the 
^0^^iM^^lMiM^k^i^lii^^iS!^^ of digestion >^i^^6 carried on in the 
circulation. .k Hlii^^^^^^^^ 

In consumption the diseased portion of a lung may 
beco^ije calcified; i. e., lime salts carried by the circula- 
tion "may be gradually deposited. In health the little 
cells instituting the lung tissues do not absorb lime 
?'' * . ' ^iiikiiflHii^ their diseased condition their selective 

I c power is weakened or destroyed. The diseased area 

J. may become encysted; i. e., surroimded by a thin mem- 

|\i.^ brane of connective tissue, as already described, or the 

I connective tissue may send fibrous bands through the 



J 

^^i 



»v^:. 



COXSUMPTIOIS'. 147 

diseased part when it is said to be organized. Blood 
vessels are supplied and the healing is permanent; the 
natural lung tissue is never replaced. Degeneration 
may cause the tissue to soften and break down — ^liquefy 
— and this maj^ be followed by absorption; i. e.. the 
matter is carried away by the circulation; it may be 
expectorated, or both. It is by such marks that post 
mortem examinations demonstrate that consumption 
has existed in some part of a lung at some time. 

Arteries last longer than lung-tissue, hence they may 
extend through cavities where the lung is destroyed. 
These gradually become weaker until during the act 
of coughing they may rupture, causing hemorrhage 
and sometimes death. Or the inflammation may allow 
blood-clots to form in an artery, and the artery may 
be obliterated before the advancing disease can reach 
it. This lessens nutrition and hastens the disease. 
An artery may be weakened where it is in close relation 
with a cavity. This will cause bulging into the cavity. 
This constitutes an aneurism. As fa^t as the cavit}^ 
increases the aneurism may continue to fill- it," until 
rupture occur^^jj^ich results. ir[-f^t-al hemorrhage. 
>■■■ Tl m,^.ai#trt^ a thin membrane which encloses the 
lung, may become inflamed, greatly thickened andimore 
or less obliterated by inflammatory adhesions; i, e., it 
may become attached to the chest wall at one or more 
points, forming cavities, and these may b€*fllled-.wit|^- 
a clear, purulent or bloody effusion, the result of the 
inflammation. The development or first stage is in- 
sidious or without the patient^s knowledge. There may 
be a gradual loss of flesh and strength without any 



.^-.ii.. 



148 MICKOBES AND HEALTH. 

known cause, poor appetite, slight rise in temperature, 
little congh, pallid appearance, or there may be pain 
at the primary seat of the disease. In what is called 
the second stage the diseased tissue commences to 
soften. This is indicated by increased cough and more 
or less free expectoration. There is increased loss of 
strength, sensations of chilliness, usually in the morn- 
ing, with slight fever in the evening, night-sweats and 
increased emaciation. In all these conditions the po- 
tient usually remains hopeful. Physical signs are 
omitted. 

Germs. 

Bacteriologists tell us that consumption is caused by 
a germ, and that the disease is contagious. Contrast 
the foregoing with the following teachings of bacter- 
iology: 

The Philadelphia Board of Health teaches that "all 
cases of tuberculosis of the lungs take origin directly 
or indirectly from other cases, this is now an established 
fact." 

The New York Board of Health states that "con- 
sumption is a disease of the lungs which is taken from 
others, and is caused by germs." 

The Michigan Board of Health states that "consump- 
tion is a dangerous communicable disease, and is 
caused by a germ, etc., etc." 

In the Physician and Surgeon for November, 1899, 
is an article stating that "there is no longer any dis- 
pute as to the cause of consumption. Scientists are 



CONSUMPTION. 149 

agreed that the consumption germ is the ultimate 
cause of all so called tubercular processes/^ In this 
connection we have only to remember that regarding 
the cause of disease, bacteriologists are not "scientists." 

Eegarding treatment, this same bacteriologist says: 
"Many have recovered from consumption in spite of 
treatment." This can only mean in spite of improper 
or wrong treatment. Here the bacteriologists speak 
with authority, for if there is any one who ought to 
understand improper treatment, it is they. Again, the 
article mentioned contains these words : "Others have 
sacrificed life to the absurd emanations of unbalanced 
brains." It is true that emanations from unbalanced 
brains may destroy life, and it seems as though this 
fact alone would set the bacteriologists to thinking. 
The writer of the article says: "The finding of the 
germ in the sputum is the important factor in diag- 
nosis." 

Again he states, "We should not condemn a person 
to death because a few consumptive germs have been 
found in the sputum." 

Again, "There is no longer any doubt about the cause 
of consumption. Scientists are agreed that the con- 
sumptive germ is the ultimate cause of all so called 
tubercular processes." 

]^ow we can understand how it is that "life is sacri- 
ficed through the absurd emanations from unbalanced 
brains." 

Such talks reminds us of the small boy's composi- 
tion on anatom}^, which began something like this : The 



150 MICROBES AND HEALTH. 

body consists of three parts, the hed, the chist and the 
stnmmick. The hed contains the eyes and brains when 
there is any. 

Green's Pathology, page 363, states that "Tappeiner 
caused dogs to inhale daily for fourteen days six grams 
(about twenty-one teaspoonfnls) of tubercular sputa, 
delivered during six hours from a spray into a narrow 
box containing the animals." The dogs ^^Decame tuber- 
culous and thus tuberculosis came to be regarded as a 
specific infectious disease.^' The remarkable feature in 
this transaction was that the dogs lived long enough to- 
carry out the experiment. Here were a number of dogs 
shut in "narrow boxes" and literally fed on sputum 
from tubercular patients, and because the dogs died, 
tuberculosis was declared a ^'specific infectious disease.^'' 
What foolishness. 

That eminent authority. Doctor Thomas J. Mays, 
says in his treatise on consumption, page 195 : "Schot- 
telius repeated Tappeiner's work, with some variations. 
Instead of causing his dogs to inhale the sputum from 
tuberculous persons only, some were made to respire 
the sputum of bronchitic, but non-tuberculous persons ; 
others, paticles of limberger cheese suspended in air, 
and still others were made to breathe finely powdered 
brain substance. In all these cases nodules, analogous 
to miliary tubercle, were developed." Doctor Mays 
also gives much other evidence of a like nature. 

The bacteriologists also tell us, on page 369, Green's 
Pathology: "Having no power of motion, the white 
blood-cells must carry the tubercle bacilli through the 
mucous membrane lining the air-cells and tubes of the 



COI^SUMPTIOK. 151 

lungs. The white cells wandering short distances may 
easily reach the surface^ and there meet, enclose and 
carry back the germ. If the corpuscles sicken while the 
germ survives, the latter may find themselves in some 
place where they can thrive and multiply, and thus 
tubercles may arise, '^ 

This merely explains how consumptive germs gain a 
foothold. Eegarding the manner in which the disease 
spreads, page 371 states: "It is supposed white cells 
enter a primary focus, take up a germ and wander out 
again into the surrounding tissue, there to sicken and 
swell into a giant cell, not far from the parent mass. 
A fresh tubercle thus forms, etc." Page 356 to 370, 
and many other pages, contain various theories frqm 
different bacteriologists. They tell us the white cells 
have the power to destroy germs, see page 54. That 
they act as a body guard, "a standing army," and 
protect the body from invading germs. According to 
this nature^s plans are defeated. Her means of de- 
fense is converted into a means of spreading disease. 

It should be remembered that in consumption, as in 
other diseases, bacteriologists deal only with theory 
pure and simple. They have absolutely nothing to 
offer except theory. They make all their experiments 
upon rabbits, guinea pigs, stray dogs, Algerian rats, etc. 

For years they have been raising, examining and 
experimenting with what they are pleased to call the 
consumptive germ, and they understand its habits, con- 
duct and size so well that on page 509 of Physician 
and Surgeon for ISTovember, 1899, they tell us that it 



152 MICEOBES AN'D HEALTH. 

requires "seven million consumption germs to fill the 
e3^e of the finest cambric needle." What valuable in- 
formation, and how it aids in bringing back to health 
a diseased and weakened constitution. 

For years health boards and other bacteriologists 
have taught that the germ discovered by Doctor Koch 
is the cause of consumption. But since that time so 
many other varities have been discovered that admit- 
ting for the moment that consumption is caused by a 
germ, the bacteriologists could not tell to-day what 
germ produces the disease. But even some bacteri- 
ologists claim that it is not a germ disease at all, as the 
following shows : 

Page 368, Physician and Surgeon, says: "Hueppe, 
professor of h3^giene in the University of- Prague, says : 
I have arrived at the definite opinion that the tubercle 
bacillus is a parasitic growth, and is not a true bacter- 
ium at all.' " 

Page 369 says: "In form we find in one stage of 
growth a round coccus-like organism; again, long 
bacillus-like threads, and still again, the peculiar ray 
or club-shaped form." 

In an able article on tuberculosis in the National 
Medical Review, page 205, it is stated: "The tubercle 
I)acillus is an organism whose status (permanency) 
lias not even yet been definitely settled. There are 
those who consider it a form of fungus growth and 
there is some evidence that renders it not improbable. 
Branching forms have been described resembling 
hj^pha; i. e., a long tread-like branching in certain 



I 



coxsuMPTiox. 153 

plants which have neither roots, stems or leaves.*^ The 
growth npon ^^onillon" is peculiar and mould-like. 

The December number of the Physician and Surgeon^ 
page 561, states: "Eegarding the disease in question, 
tuberculosis, the more conservative observers, includ- 
ing also I am happ}^ to say, many bacteriologists, con- 
cede that although the tubercular germ is the important 
factor in the large majority of cases, other germs, such 
as the streptococcus, staphylococcus, pneumococcus, 
etc., may play the greatest part in the pathogenesis of 
most cases. Again, it happens that new varieties of 
tubercular germs are being discovered, which seem 
to differ from the typical one in many respects, viz., the 
avian, bovine, the spirilla or branching form, the actino- 
mycotic forms," the smegma bacillus and the bacilli 
found on grass, hay, etc." 

The foregoing corresponds exactly with the state- 
ments on page 43, viz., that all kinds of germs inhabit 
the mouth, being taken in with food and drink, and 
also from the air during the process of breathing; and 
that they are continually being carried downward 
through the act of swallowing, and by respiration, and 
thousands of them find their way into the air-passages. 
Hence the man with the microscope may find any and 
all varieties. Bacteriologists claim that while the germ 
may be absent in the "regular old-fashioned consump- 
tion" they are always present in tuberculosis. Yet it 
is well known that there are many cases of tuberculosis 
in which no germ can be found, as just stated. The 
solution is very simple, notwithstanding; the man had 



154 MICKOBES AND HEALTH. 

consumption, there was still vitality enongh to destroy 
germ life before they reached the lungs. In such cases 
germs would be absent. As stated on page 152, many 
varieties of germs are present in most cases of consump- 
tion. The products of inflammation furnish a field in 
which germs can absorb nourishment, hence their pres- 
ence. 

It should be remembered that germs are simply scav- 
engers, feeding upon septic matter or upon the septic 
elements of the blood. Their presence in such tissue 
is perfectly natural. Their action aids in breaking 
down and liquefying dead and useless matter, and giv- 
ing the elements back to nature and thus aiding in the 
recovery of the patient and in the world^s economy. 
Germs were created for this purpose. They are the 
medium through which all material progress has been 
made. As already stated, a dead cell becomes the 
center of a tubercle by exciting inflammation around 
it. Dead cells are always found in tubercles. This is 
known and taught by every pathologist and bacteri- 
ologists admit it is true. Bacteriologists, however, 
claim that tubercles are caused by germs, yet germs 
are not found within the tubercles. This is also known 
and taught by every pathologist, and bacteriologists 
admit it is true. If tubercles are caused by germs, 
why is it that germs are not present in the tubercle? 
It is only reasonable to believe that if tubercles were 
caused by germs the germs would be present there. 
Bacteriologists claim that germs are present in the tis- 
sue surrounding the tubercle. Exactly. The reason 
is, the tubercles contain no blood vessels and offer no 



COJS^SUMPTION. 155» 

nourishment, while the inflammatory zone surround- 
ing the tubercle contains an excess of blood, but the 
blood is unhealthy. The pressure from the dilated ves- 
sels and the inflammatorv zone of new tissue strangu- 
late the circulation and vitality is destro3^ed. 

In such a field germs find nourishment, and meet 
with no opposition. The products of inflammation al- 
ways furnish a field for the development of germ life. 
This is nature's plan and nature's plans are perfect. 
For instance, a tubercle contains no blood vessels. 
Tubercules are composed of dead tissue cells, and dead 
tissue needs no blood vessels. ]N"ature never supplies 
something for nothing. But the man needs support 
to eliminate the dead tissue, it cannot be eliminated al- 
together any more than a bullet or any other foreign 
body. First, it must be reduced to a liquid or gaseous 
form, and it is for this purpose that germs are present. 
By their power to produce fermentation they reduce- 
the dead tissue and aid in separating it from the body. 
Here we see that the absence of the artery and the pres- 
ence of the germ are a wise provision. Every board of 
health and bacteriologists admit that "all the processes 
comprised in the terms fermentation and putrifaction 
(degeneration of dead tissue) are due to the action of 
vegetable organisms — germs.'' 

Millions of germs of all varieties enter the system 
every day and every hour ; they are everywhere present,, 
in the body as well as out, and reduce dead matter to its 
ultimate elements. This law of supply and demand 
has existed since creation began and will continue as; 
lono- as life is maintained. 



156 MICROBES Aii^D HEALTH. 

While germs destroy dead tissue in the lungs, they 
take no part in producing the long train of conditions 
which lead up to the disease, and which may include 
several years. 

Dyspepsia is the mother of consumption. Everyone 
ninderstands that in every case of consumption, the 
process of digestion and assimilation suffer more or 
less from the first. These conditions are not caused by 
germs and are not "catching." Their very nature 
renders it impossible. The fact that consumption is 
^of slow growth, requiring months and years to develop, 
is sufficient to oppose all thought of contagion. 

Health boards teach that "there is no longer any 
doubt regarding the cause of consumption. Scientists 
are agreed that the germ of tuberculosis is the ultimate 
tcause of all so called tubercular processes." 

"All cases of consumption are taken from others." 

"Consumption is contagious." 

"Consumption is caused by a germ," etc. 

Are these statements true ? Let us see. In a recent 
'discussion regarding the contagiousness of consump- 
tion, as reported in the December, 1899, number of the 
Physician and Surgeon, the following statements were 
•advanced by some of the leading physicians of this 
country: "I certainly believe that the state of our 
society at the present time does not warrant any such 
measures as are being taken by the board of health. 
■^^I do not think that the profession as a whole in this 
state will back up the State Board of Health in this 
'■connection, and one of the difficulties is that the man 
•who has charge of the work of the board of health in 



COI^SUMPTIOJf. 157^ 

this state is a man who has never practised medicine. 
He is a man who gets all the knowledge he has on the- 
subject from a stud)^ of theoretical books. His knowl- 
edge is the k'nowledge of the laborator}^, and not of 
the practical." 

"I have had some personal experience in my own 
family with this disease. I had a very near and dear 
relative who had consumption for a great many years, 
and who eventually died of it. She had a husband* 
and four children who lived with her all that time in 
the same house. Absolutely no precautions whatever 
were taken. She lived for years in that house, cough- 
ing as consumptives do. [N'ot one of the household 
ever acquired the disease, nor have they to this day. 
To have been obliged, as a medical man, to do to that 
relative what the board of health has ordered shaD 
be done to other consumptives in this state, to me- 
would have seemed cruel and useless beyond all 
expression.'^ 

Another physician said: "I am of the opinion that 
tuberculosis is not contagious, and for that reason I 
would oppose quarantine and isolation, as proposed by 
the board of health." 

In an editorial appearing in the May, 1899, number 
of the Medical Brief is the following: "Our local 
medical dictatorship, ordinarily known as the board 
of health, has succeeded in getting a bill introduced to^ 
the city council declaring consumption contagious. 
This act is an outrage on both the medical profession 
and the people of the community. By this bill the 
health board arbitrarily assumes the authority to decide- 



158 MICROBES AKD HEALTH. 

that consumption is contagious, notwithstanding the 
fact that the ablest men in the profession say that it is 
not. The bill asks for a grant of what is practically- 
unlimited power to adopt and execute such measures 
as the board may deem necessary to stamp out the dis- 
•^ase. That is to say, any person suspected of con- 
sumption has no rights which the health board is bound 
to respect. He may be snatched away from home, 
friends and business, buried alive in some cheerless 
liospital, there to drag out a miserable, monotonous 
-existence, at the dictum of a few political doctors. 

The men who compose our health boards are seldom 
Tnen of large clinical experience. In the very nature 
of things, men who are doing large practices have no 
time to give to official duties. It is the men who de- 
vote themselves to the theoretical and speculative side 
of medical science who seek office, then misrepresent 
the profession and usurp their rights, by their abuse of 
authority. We should like to know on what grounds 
health boards assume thfe right to act for the profes- 
:sion,^' etc., etc. 

Again quoting from the September, 1899, number: 
^^Our local board of health is again at work, trying to 
secure the passage of an ordinance empowering it to 
take measures as may seem necessary to prevent the 
spread of tuberculosis. The text of the ordinance is 
very broad in its scope, giving the board full control 
of all cases of consumption. Physicians are required 
to report every case in their care, and the board is em- 
powered to fumigate the houses of patients, and make 
other provisions to prevent the spread of the disease. 



1 



I 



C0]S^6UMPTI0X. 159 

Mark the indefiniteness of this last clause. It can be 
Tised to legally cloak any measure of oppression which 
the health board may choose to employ. Moreover the 
ordinance recognizes the contagiousness of consump- 
tion as an established fact^ whereas it is a barefaced as- 
sumption on the part of the board. The contagious 
nature of consumption is denied by all the ablest men 
in the profession. Legislative measures to stamp out 
consumption are not new, and have always proved in- 
adequate.'" 

Another article in the March, 1900, number states : 
^'^Eegarding the California board of health, dominated 
by a German physician named Maher, who entertain? 
the delusion that consumption is contagious, it pro- 
poses that no person suffering from consumption shall 
be allowed to attend the public schools of Oakland, in 
the capacity of teacher or scholar. Any employee or 
pupil under the jurisdiction of the public school de- 
partment, suspected of having pulmonary tuberculosis, 
must either leave or submit to a bacteriological exami- 
nation by the city bacteriologist, whose finding shall be 
the only evidence(?) required by the board of educa- 
tion. If consumption were contagious there would be 
Tio state of California — no Oakland board of health to 
pass the time making foolish rules. If consumption 
were contagious the civilized world would long since 
have been depopulated,^^ etc. 

Thomas J. Mays, already quoted, says in his new 
book on consumption, page 197-210: *^^Certain facts 
have given rise to the deep-seated and prevalent belief 
that phthisis is a most contagiotts disease, and that if 



160 MICROBES AND HEALTH. 

measTires of isolation and disinfection are properly en- 
forced, the disease, as is held by some, will be extermi- 
nated in a single generation. By common consent it 
must be admitted that if this doctrine of the stamp- 
ing out of this disease is correct it should be regarded 
as a sacred trust, and should receive the sanction and 
encouragement of every loyal citizen. If, on the other 
hand, it is erroneous, it is equally clear that those who 
are afflicted with the disease are terribly wronged and 
injured and that the public is deceived concerning the 
true nature, cause and prevention of consumption. 

"Physicians who are constantly exposed to consump- 
tion are much less subject to this disease than are others 
who scarcely come in contact with it, except by chance. 
The statistics of the Brompton Hospital for Consump- 
tion, in London, show that during a period of thirty- 
six years not a single clearly authenticated case of con- 
sumption arose within its walls among its twenty-nine 
physicians and assistant physicians, its one hundred 
and fifty clinical assistants and its one hundred and 
one nurses, of which there existed a health record. The 
statistics of Friedrichshain Hospital, in Berlin, as fur- 
nished by Dr. Fiirbinger, demonstrate that during a 
period of sixteen years out of 459 male nurses there 
were 4 (2 of whom were tuberculous before entering); 
of 339 female nurses, there were 2; of 83 physicians, 
there were 3 (1 of whom entered with the disease) who 
became consumptive. Of 108 Victoria sisters, who 
were engaged as nurses in the same institution from 
two to five and a half years, only one became consump- 
tive. 



CON^SUMPTIOl^. 161 

"These figures are strikingly confirmed by those 
which come from the private sanitarium for consump- 
tion in Grorbersdorf, Grermany. Dr. Brehmer, who had 
been in charge of this large institution for twenty years^ 
states that since the year 1854 more than 10,000 con- 
sumptives resided in the hospital, who daily walked the 
streets of the town and commingled with its inhabit- 
ants. The latter were, therefore, continually respiring 
an atmosphere which was more or less impregnated 
with tubercle bacilli emanating frOm the dried expec- 
toration of these consumptive visitors, yet, in spite of 
these favorable conditions for contagion, it appears 
that the mortality from this disease is 50 per cent less 
among the Gorbersdorf population since than it was be- 
fore the establishment of the hospital. 

"The same is true of Falkenstein, a town near Frank- 
fort, Germany, in close proximity to which Dr. Det- 
tweiler located a private sanitorium for consumptives 
in 1877. The health statistics of this place show that 
during twenty years previous to the establishment of 
the institution the death-rate from consumption among 
the Falkenstein inhabitants was 4.0 per 1,000 living, 
while for eighteen years since its existence the death- 
rate from this disease fell to 2.4 per 1,000 living inhab- 
itants. 

"Dr. Haupt, of Soden, a resort for consumptives in 
the south of Germany states that among the inhabit- 
ants of this town there are 101 individuals who let 
lodgings to consumptive visitors during the summer 
months. These patients are nursed and cared for 
chiefly by the inmates of the families — the work of 



162 MICKOBES AND HEALTH. 

making the patients' beds^ cleaning their rooms, beat- 
ing the carpets, removing the expectoration, etc., being 
performed by female servants. During the winter 
months the rooms are reoccnpied by members of the 
landlord's families. From 1855 to 1888 — a period of 
thirty-three years — 10 of the 238 members of the local 
families died from consumption, and five of the 415 
servant girls died of the same disease, but in none of 
these instances, so far as could be ascertained, was the 
malady traceable to contagion. 

"Dr. J. Adams, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, states 
that this place has been a health resort for about seven- 
teen years, and comprises about 11,000 inhabitants, 
and that the majority of the rooms in the many board- 
ing and lodging houses are and generally have been 
occupied by consumptives. After a diligent search 
throughout the whole city he only found a record of 
seven cases of consumption that originated among the 
local inhabitants during this time, and so far as could 
be found out none of these cases were specially exposed. 

"Dr. P. Langerhans, who practised medicine for nine 
years in Madeira, an island which is visited every winter 
season by about 400 consumptives, observes that these 
invalids are lodged, boarded and in great part nursed 
by English colonists, varying from 210 to 250 in num- 
ber, who live in about 100 houses. The rooms which 
are occupied by consumptives in the winter are reoc- 
cnpied during the summer by the colonists' families, 
thus insuring the closest intermingling of the well with 
the sick. The health records of this island, which have 
been accurately kept since 1836, show that only four 



CONSUMPTION". 163 

of the English colonists died from consumption during 
this time, and that one of these suffered from the dis- 
ease before he came on the island. 

"The testimony which relates to the contagiousness 
of this disease between husband and wife is of a similar 
negative character. Dr. Schnyder, of Switzerland, 
gives a record of 844 cases of consumption occurring 
among married people. In 445 of these the husband 
onl}^, and in 367 the wife only, was consumptive, while 
in 32 instances both husband and wife were affected, 
showing that in 812 of these cases there was no proof 
of contagion. Dr. Schnyder furthermore says that 
four of the thirty cases came to him fresh from the 
matrimonial altar affected with the first signs of con- 
sumption, and he believes that in spite of all warnings 
young people are frequently married while suffering 
from this disease. Out of 1,000 phthisical patients 
Cotton met with 11, 7 men and 4 women, who had 
previously lost a husband or a wife from this disease. 
Eeginald Thompson, out of 15,000 consumptives, re- 
cords 15 cases in which wives had been apparently in- 
fected from their husbands. Out of 6,167 patients the 
second report of the Brompton Hospital for Consump- 
tion (1863) gives 239 widowed persons, 83 males and 
156 females, who had previously lost a husband or wife 
from phthisis; i. e., 1.7 per cent. Dr. Austin Flint 
contributes the history of 670 cases of consumption 
affecting husbands and wives, and among these there 
were only five in which a suspicion existed that the dis- 
ease might have been contracted from one or the other; 
but it is certain, he says, that the instances in which 



164 MICROBES AND HEALTH. 

transmissibility may be suspected can also be ac- 
counted for as coincidences in a disease which is so 
widespread as consumption. 

"THE OPIisriONS OF AUTHORS OF TREATISES OK PUL- 
MON^ARY COl^TSUMPTION REGARDING THE CON- 
TAGIOUSNESS OF THIS DISEASE. 

"In this connection it is of interest to know the 
conclusions which those have reached on the question of 
contagion who have made phthisis a life-long study, who 
have written special treatises on this disease, and who 
are, therefore, entitled to an authoritative opinion on 
this subject. Laennec, in his illustrious work, says: 
^We frequently observe, among the poorer classes, a 
numerous family sleeping in the same apartment with 
a consumptive patient, and a husband occupying, to 
the last, the same bed with his wife without any com- 
munication of the disease. The woolen apparel and 
the beds of consumptive subjects, which it is the custom 
to burn in some countries, are not even generally 
washed, much less destroyed, in France, and yet I have 
never seen the disease communicated by them.^ Portal 
says that he was brought up in the contagious belief 
but abandoned it. Ancell believes that "^the doctrine 
of contagion has at all times been based on very vague 
and insufficient evidence, such as isolated cases of the 
occurrence of the disease in individuals who had pre- 
viously been in constant attendance upon the sick, 
or in husbands or wives, where both had slept in the 
same bed until the fatal termination of the disease in 
the one first affected. In appealing to these facts as 



consumptions'. 165 

evidence of contagion no account is taken of tlie anti- 
liygienic influences to which the individuals had been 
subjected or of the probability of a common or inde- 
pendent source of hereditar}" transmission or of the 
predisposition or the actual disease acquired previously. 
Against the few facts which tend to support the doc- 
trine of contagion there are tens of thousands against 
it/ Dr. Aufrecht^ after referring somewhat exten- 
sively to the contagion theory, says: * * * ^and 
less justifiable are the reckless conclusions drawn by 
Koch concerning the etiological indication of the tuber- 
cle bacillus.^ Dr. Dettweiler writes of the freedom 
from phthisis of those who are engaged in the care 
of the phthisical in hospitals, and then says: ^My 
own fourteen years' experience in hospitals for con- 
sumption is in perfect accord with this.' The late 
Dr. Hermann Brehmer, the founder of the large and 
world-renowned hospital for consumptives in Gorbers- 
dorf , Germany, and who has done so much to place the 
treatment of consumption on a scientific basis, opposed 
the contagion theory of this disease most strenuously. 
Dr. Arthur Eansome declares that ^at the present time 
the dread of infection from consumptive persons is out 
of all proportion to the danger, and goes far beyond 
what the facts of the case justify. In its results this 
alarm is likely to cause much injustice to many poor 
invalids, and in some cases to endanger their pros- 
pects of cure. The sites for consumption hospitals 
are becoming as difiicult to find as those for smallpox 
hospitals, and utterly unfounded reports as to the 
spread of phthisis by such institutions are recklessly 



166 MICEOBES AND HEALTH. 

made, even by medical officers of health/ On page 31, 
in continuation of the same subject, he says: ^I have 
never yet found any satisfactory proof of infection, 
direct or indirect, in any well ventilated house in this 
country, and this in spite of close contact, as in the 
attendance of a wife upon her husband or in the nurs- 
ing and sleeping together of near relatives and friends/ 
The late Dr. James R. Leaming uses the following 
example to illustrate the false notion of tubercular con- 
tagion: ^A mother, after watching her children, three 
or four in number, through scarlatina of a severe type, 
began to cough, lose weight and finally died of phthisis. 
She was well when the children were taken ill; she was 
a loving, anxious mother, and as they were attacked 
successively the time of her anxiety was prolonged. 
The children all recovered, but the mother was sacri- 
ficed. She was not aware of having taken cold. The 
cough was so insidious that no one could tell when it 
commenced. Had there been the same prolonged 
anxiety over a case of phthisis, followed by inconsolable 
despair at the loss of the loved one, it would have 
seemed to prove the communicability of consumption.^ 
Dr. Alexander James makes the statement that ^many 
examples of contagion, real or apparent, have, of 
course, been brought forward, but the records of con- 
sumption hospitals and the fact that one often sees in 
a general hospital a phthisical case with numerous 
bacilli in his sputum, having alongside of him patients 
with fibroid, bronchiectatic or syphilitic disease, and 
yet in whose sputum or lungs no trace of bacilli can be 
discovered, seem incompatible with a belief in con- 



COKSUMPTIOK. 167 

tagion/ Dr. Douglass Powell says : ^My own personal 
experience and observation convince me that, apart 
from artificial conditions — sncli as those brought about 
by experiment — and in the ordinary circumstances of 
life, phthisis is not an infectious malady/ Dr. Wilson 
Fox clearly condenses his views, as follows: ^There 
are few writers who have not admitted the possibility 
of some contagion, but I venture to think that the 
evidence, as it stands, shows that even if this possibility 
has an authentic foundation the extent and degree to 
which contagion ordinarily extends are singularly 
small.^ Dr. Theodore Williams declares: ^My own 
experience is that for the last twenty years I have care- 
fully watched for cases of infection in hospital and 
private practice, and though I have come across a cer- 
tain number of apparent cases they have never stood 
the test of close inquiry, there being always some addi- 
tional element to explain the cansation of disease.^ 

"THE MEAKS OF PEEYEKTIOI^" THAT HAVE BEEif IN- 
VOKED IN^ THE PAST BY THE COI^TAGIOK 
DOCTEINE. 

"It is doubtful whether the history of any medical idea 
is invested with more curiosity and interest than that 
which hangs over that of the contagiousness of phthisis. 
The doctrine is a very old one — dating back to x^ris- 
totle's time — ^but in the last quarter of the eighteenth 
century it had gathered such force and importance in 
some of the Italian states that stringent laws were 
passed concerning the disinfection of the rooms in which 
consumptives died, and of the clothes which they had 



168 MICROBES AKD HEALTH. 

worn. In 1754 the Grrand Duke of Tuscany, being im- 
bued with the truthfulness of the contagious doctrine of 
phthisis, addressed the College of Physicians of Florence 
on this subject, but the latter, not being able to view the 
question in the same light, made a negative report on it. 
In spite of this action an ordinance was passed by the 
government making it compulsory on all medical prac- 
titioners to report, under the penalty of a fine of 100 
scudi, every case of ^true confirmed phthisis^ to the 
Health Tribunal in Florence, and to the governor, com- 
missioners and magistrates having criminal jurisdiction 
in the other provinces. In every case of this kind the 
magistrate ordered an exact inventory of all articles in 
the patient's room, or used by him, so that a thorough 
disinfection could be made in case of death. After the 
consumptive's death those who had taken care of him, 
and those who had charge of his clothes, were com- 
pelled to report themselves to the proper authority. 
The owners of houses inhabited by phthisical patients 
were not allowed to eject them, because such action 
might render them homeless and wanderers, and facili- 
tate the spread of the disease. The heirs of consump- 
tives were forbidden to sell anything that had been 
nsed in their illness for a month after their death. 
Patients were enjoined to expectorate only in special 
vessels of glass or glazed earthenware, which were to 
be emptied and cleaned frequently. These laws were 
strictly enforced for thirty-nine years — until 1783 — 
when, on account of a want of support on the part of 
the medical profession, they were repealed by the Grand 



CONSUMPTION^. 169 

Duke, Pietro Leopoldo, as being ^a cause of bitterness, 
dissatisfaction and vexation/ 

"In 1767 the State of Lucca passed similar laws, in 
which the rules for cleansing and disinfection that had 
to be adopted in cases of death from phthisis were set 
forth in minutest detail. 

"In 1772 the Guardians of the Public Health of 
Pesaro asked the corresponding officials at Venice for 
advice concerning the disposal of the clothes of per- 
sons who had died of phthisis. The latter referred this 
question to their Protomedico, Giambattista Paitoni, 
and he replied in a monograph in which he held that 
in the course of a long experience he had seen many 
evil effects from the neglect of necessary precautions ^to 
protect one against a disease of such a nature.^ He 
recommended that all things used by consumptives 
should be dealt with in the same manner as in the case 
of '^contagious pestilential influences.^ He laid special 
stress on the importance of taking care that the clothes 
of a consumptive should not fall into the hands of 
^filthy and miserly second-hand dealers, who then sell 
them again with impunity, thus trafficking in the health 
of men.^ 

"On the strength of the opinion of health officers the 
Venetian government issued an ordinance, December 
24, 1772, to the effect that no one in any part of Vene- 
tian territory should, ^under any pretext whatever sell, 
or in an}^ way part with or dispose of, receive or pur- 
chase clothes or other effects, which had been used by 
persons suffering from phthisis, unless they had first 



170 MICROBES AND HEALTH. 

been properly disinfected. Breach of this regulation 
was punishable by death, imprisonment, or the galleys. 
Medical practitioners were compelled to notify all cases 
of death from phthisis so that the sanitary officer might 
give the necessary orders. For greater security secret 
notifications were received, and those giving informa- 
tion, authenticated with their names, to the authorities 
were rewarded.' 

"On Angnst 19, 1772, the Sacra Consnlta of Rome 
issued a circular to all the Papal States urging them 
to exercise the most vigilant care to prevent the sale of 
clothing belonging to persons who had died of that 
'pernicious communicable disease' (phthisis). 'Medical 
practitioners were enjoined to notify all deaths from 
this cause, and to draw up an inventory of the things 
Avhich had been used by the deceased. It was expressly 
directed that for this inventory no charge should be 
made, and it was further provided that if it was found 
advisable to burn any part of the belongings of the 
dead, and a poor family was thus deprived of things 
needful for domestic purposes, limited compensation 
should be made.' 

" 'At Bologna, the second city of the Papal States, 
an ordinance was issued in 1773 in which a further pro- 
vision was made to that of the Sacra Consulta of Rome. 
By this the introduction of clothes, linen or other things 
used by consumptive persons into the city or its sub- 
urbs from any other region, without an official certifi- 
cate of disinfection, was strictly forbidden. 'Not only 
physicians and surgeons, but parish priests were bound 
to notify cases of death from phthisis, in order that the 



COXSUMPTIOIf. 171 

authorities might see that disinfection was carried out. 
Three years later the scope of the ordinance was ex- 
tended so as to make the notification of illness com- 
pulsory as well as those of death. Secret notifications 
were received^ and half the fine imposed for breach of 
ordinance was assigned to the informer. The physi- 
cians of Bologna appear to have treated the ordinance 
with scant respect^ and the Cardinal Legate accordingly 
threatened to proceed against them. They, therefore, 
selected two of their body to draw np a memorial set- 
ting forth the grounds of their disbelief in the contagi- 
ousness of phthisis. * * * The authorities, how- 
ever, stood firm.^ 

"In 1782 most stringent laws for disinfecting the 
belongings of the phthisical were introduced into the 
kingdom of Naples by Ferdinand IV, and which were- 
maintained for more than fifty years. The penalties 
for non-observance of the regulations were extremely 
severe. For interfering with the sanitary officers in 
the discharge of their duty ^ignoble' persons were pun- 
ished with three years of the galleys or prison; ^nobles'^ 
by three years^ confinement in a fortress and a fine of 
300 ducats. Physicians received a similar fine for the 
first ofi'ense and ten years' banishment for the second. 
Purchasers of infected clothing were punished by three- 
3^ears of the galleys, while those who sold them were- 
fined three times the value of the articles sold.' In 
ever}^ case the ceilings, walls, floors, doors and windows 
of rooms in which consumptives died were torn out and 
burned, and new ones were substituted. The bedding 
and furniture shared the same fate, and such dweHings 



172 MICROBES Al^B HEALTH. 

were not inhabitable for one year. If owners rented 
such houses before the expiration of the prescribed time 
they were imprisoned for three years and the tenants 
were exiled. All the phthisical patients were forced 
to enter the hospital for incurables in Naples, and were 
detained there until they were either cured or dead. 
The family with phthisis in its midst was shunned and 
driven to want, and houses in which consumptives died 
came into disrepute and many of their owners were 
turned into beggars. 

"Laws of a similar character were introduced and en- 
forced in certain parts of Spain and Portugal. 

"That which is of the greatest interest to us here is 
as to the practical benefit which followed the introduc- 
tion of these draconic measures. According to Uffel- 
mann, Dr. de Eenzi, the historian of Italian medicine, 
states that the injury which had been inflicted on 
Naples by these laws was simply indescribable, and he 
■denounces the Neapolitan medical faculty in the sever- 
est terms for participating in their practical introduc- 
tion. Among other things Dr. A. L. Pierson wTote of 
a Neapolitan hospital, in 1834, as follows: ^One can 
hardly realize that so much has been said and written 
to recommend this city as a residence for consumptives, 
when some of the best informed Neapolitan physicians 
estimate the deaths from consumption among the resi- 
dents at one-fourth of the whole mortality.^ One of 
the most reliable medical publications in the English 
language states that Drs. Spattuzzi and Somma have 
paid great attention to the mortuary returns in the City 
■of Naples (about 1866), and affirm that one-sixth of 



CONSUMPTIOK. 173^' 

tlie whole mortality is due to phthisis ; and Dr. de Eenzi 
marvels greatly, in 1863, that the City of N'aples is 
fully as mnch liable to this disease as either London or 
Paris, though the salutary condition of the climate 
should render it far less common. 

"It seems, therefore, if the death-rate from con- 
sumption was the same in Naples at the time these 
laws were abolished as it was in other cities in which 
segregation (isolation) was never practised, that the 
practical value of such measures was entirely negative.^^ 
— worthless. 

Again, a prominent bacteriologist stated in Detroit 
recently, "It is usually held that tubercular sputum 
dried, pulverized, and floating in the air, is the most 
important source of infection." Again, "The attempt 
to affect guinea pigs, animals I would say a hundred 
times as susceptible to the inoculated germ as man is, 
by making them breathe air suspensions of dried tuber- 
cular germs has usually failed, after being tried by 
many investigators." 

First, he says the dried sputum floating in the air 
is the most common source of infection. Next he says 
that guinea pigs cannot be so infected, although they 
are one hundred times as susceptible as man. He says, 
"I have never seen a guinea pig with a self acquired 
tuberculosis." 

All health boards and bacteriologists claim that dried 
sputum floating through the air is the most common 
source of tubercular infection. Is it? Flugg says, 
"As a result of a long series of experiments made by 
himself and' his pupils during the last two years, he con- 



174 MICROBES AXD HEALTH. 

eludes that tlie danger of infection from the dried 
sputum is small/'' 

"Cornet has shown that among street-sweepers who 
follow the business for many vears^, tuberculosis is less 
•common than among other classes/^ The cities are 
where the largest number of people expectorate upon 
the streets and sidewalks, and those sweeping and clean- 
ing such thoroughfares would be subject to more 
danger, if any existed, than any other class of people 
on earth, yet the professor says, "tuberculosis is less 
common with these people." The professor closes by 
saying, "'According to the Eegistrar General the death- 
rate from consumption in England and Wales was in 
1838 thirt^^-eight per ten thousand of the population. 
In 1895 it was fourteen." 

"Note that during this period of fifty-seven years the 
population had more than doubled, while the facilities 
for travel and comingling of sick and well had been 
at least quadrupled, that during the larger part of this 
time no attention whatever had been given to the 
thought of contagion, no isolation, no destruction of 
sputum, or any such precautions; that despite the fact 
that the possibilities for infection had been increased 
many fold, the disease had decreased.'^ 

Colorado Springs is a great resort for consumptives, 
and there are enough germs distributed around this 
place to infect the population of the entire earth, yet 
the disease 4s seldom, if ever, acquired there. 

An article in the Physician and Surgeon for jSTovem- 
ber, 1899, states: "There is no doubt that the germs 
■of consumption are with us always; they are universally 



I 



COI^rSUMPTIOI^. 175 

distributed wherever man lives upon this earth. I be- 
lieve that practically we come in contact with them 
daily." 

Experiments with the consumptive germs are usually 
made with guinea pigs, yet guinea pigs can be rendered 
tubercular as well without the consumptive germ as 
with it. They can be rendered tubercular by inoculat- 
ing them with vaccine lymph, putrid muscles, or by in- 
troducing a clean seaton of unbleached cotton, or even 
by giving them a brisk pinch in the flank. These state- 
ments are supported by many leading authorities. 
Green's Pathology, page 364, states: "That tuber- 
culosis may be produced in animals by the irritation 
of vaccine, bits of cork or paper. Doctor Evans states 
that by making incisions in pigs, they afterwards per- 
ished of abscess at the seat of injury, and miliary tuber- 
culosis in their various organs." 

Now apply the teaching of health boards and other 
bacteriologists. 

The Philadelphia Board of Health states that "all 
cases of tuberculosis of the lungs take origin directly 
or indirectly from other cases. This is now an estab- 
lished fact." 

The ISTew York Board of Health states that "con- 
sumption is a disease of the lungs which is taken from 
others, and is caused by germs." 

The Michigan Board of Health states that "con- 
sumption is a dangerous communicable disease, and is 
caused by germs." 

In the Physician and Surgeon for November, 1899. 
is an article stating: "There is no longer any dispute 



176 MICROBES AND HEALTH. 

as to the cause of consumption. S^cientists are agreed 
that the consumptive germ is the ultimate cause of all 
so called tubercular processes/^ 

Have the health boards stated the case fairly, or have 
Ave clearly shown by some of the greatest living author- 
ities that such statements are not true ? Since the germ 
theory has become so popular, a leading medical college 
has made the remarkable discovery that it requires 
seventeen consumption germs to produce the disease in 
a healthy subject. 

In a healthy subject! And so germs can produce 
disease in a healthy subject, yet the population of the 
United States has increased from the first settlement 
in Virginia from one hundred to about ninety millions 
at the present time. Instead of advertising themselves 
through the newspapers and by circular; instead of 
trying to pass laws compelling people to submit to 
quarantine regulations, or placing the consumptive in 
some hospital already filled with those whose pallid 
faces, hollow cough, wasted bodies and ghastly looks 
meet you on every hand, a place where each patient 
drags out his remaining days in one long nightmare 
of despondency and disgust. Instead of doing this, 
why don't the bacteriologists come out squarely and 
honestly and cure just one case of consumption? If 
they could cure consumption there would be no need 
of laws compelling people to accept their treatment, for 
all who suffer with the disease would go willingly and 
gladly. The people who would be brought under the 
influence of quarantine had better secure an appropria- 
tion for educating the people in that particular com- 



COOS'S CM PTION. 177 

munity or state. A contagious disease is one that 
spreads rapidly, develops in a few days, becomes serious 
and often fatal. Consumption requires months and 
usually years to develop, and this fact alone is sufficient 
to oppose all thought of contagion, quarantine and iso- 
lation. 

The theory of contagion is but the dwarfed and 
mangled conclusions of laboratory science. 



TYPHOID FEVER. 

A student was called before his class to examine a 
case of suspected typhoid fever. The student was 
somew^hat embarrassed, and this may have accounted for 
the somewhat remarkable diagnosis, which ran as fol- 
lows: 

Case one (this was his first case). Irish parents 
age 24 not hereditary, brunette tongue, coated and 
accustomed to working out by the day. Was suddenly 
seized with vertigo of the head in the occiput near the 
post-office, no temperature though inward fever, other 
functions normal. Case diagnosed as dramatic sprain 
of the main leader of the left leg. The young man 
wrote the following prescription on the blackboard. 
Cranberry poultice, veratroidine and milk diet to the 
affected part. The strain was too much, and the next 
day the professor said the student himself was tlireat- 
ened with typhoid fever, because he had heard him 
talking in his sleep, and at times singing national airs 
so familiar to all. The writer was once discharged be- 
cause he would not give something for this particular 
feature of a case (singing), but it seemed to him then 
and does now that if, as claimed by many, Key really 
wrote the "Star Spangled Banner" on the head of a 
barrel, the patient had a right to whoop ^er up if he 
wanted to. The professor thought the student was 



TYPHOID FEVER. 179 

talking about his relatives, because lie frequently spoke 
of his "Ante/^ also of "Jack-pot" (thought Jack was 
his cousin), heard him say he must "stand pat" (another 
cousin). The professor thought these three relatives 
were what the student referred to when he spoke of 
"three of a kind;" he thought the student was a very 
kind-hearted boy, because he heard him say he gave his 
overcoat to his "uncle," and went back after "Tom 
and Jerry." 

We understand that the foregoing does not bear 
a very close relation to typhoid fever, yet we believe 
it is about as near correct as many of the cases that are 
diagnosed typhoid. The writer understands that he 
may be criticised for not accepting the usual diagnoses, 
yet he is satisfied that in many cases, perhaps the 
majority, such diagnosis is not correct. This conclu- 
sion is reached after the usual experiences with cases 
of this kind, and after proving over and over again 
that such cases usually make a complete recovery in a 
few days, if eliminations have been thorough, and fol- 
lowed when necessary by antiseptics and stringents. 

In his practice of medicine, page 23, the well-known 
Dr. Hughes says, regarding typhoid fever: "An error 
that is constantly being made is that of confounding 
typhoid fever with the typhoid (depressing) symptoms 
or conditions developing during the course of many 
acute diseases." 

We understand that some physicians will have no 
patience with the statement that they do not know 
a case of typhoid fever when they see it, yet the 
ver}^ nature of typhoid fever renders a diagnosis ex- 



180 MICEOBES AND HEALTH. 

tremely difficult. That is the reason the bacteriologists 
established the Widal test. They claim the disease is 
caused by a germ, yet it is well known that in one-half 
of the cases they are unable to find any trace of their 
germs, and having no other satisfactory means of decid- 
ing, they established the Widal test, called the Widal 
because Mr. Widal first wrote an article calling atten- 
tion to its importance. Yet the test possesses but lit- 
tle value. As there is much difference of opinion re- 
garding typhoid fever, let us take an imaginary case: 
Is it typhoid fever? Sometimes that is merely a mat- 
ter of opinion, and each physician may hold a different 
view. A few years ago the writer was acquainted with 
a doctor who had twenty-one cases of typhoid f ever( ?) 
on his hands all at one time. That was pretty hard 
on the doctor, though the patients bore up well, as all 
recovered. Other physicians in the same community 
did not have any typhoid patients at this time. If a 
typhoid patient lives until the end of the second week 
there will be ulceration along the digestive tract. 
There may be ulceration without typhoid. The mucous 
membrane lining the digestive tract contains many 
small glands or follicles. These are small thimble- 
shaped depressions, and during inflammation these fol- 
licles become enlarged as the swelling and pressure 
prevent the discharge of their contents. The swelling 
and pressure also interfere with the circulation, de- 
genative changes follow from a lack of nourishment, 
portions of the mucous membrane slough off, and thus 
ulcers are formed. Not only ulcers, but gangrene may 
occur if the inflammation is severe enough, yet in each 



TYPHOID FEVER. ISl 

of these cases typhoid fever -^ould be absent. With 
typhoid fever there is bloating and soreness along the 
digestive tracts yet everyone understands that bloating 
and soreness can and nsnally do occnr withont typhoid. 
Can constipation exist during typhoid? Some physi- 
cians say it can^ some say it cannot, yet neither verdict 
is of importance, since either constipation or diarrhea 
may and usually does occur without typhoid. Some 
doctors consider diarrhea marked evidence of typhoid 
fever when occurring with other sATnptoms, yet there 
may be t}^hoid symptoms with diarrhea, and no ty- 
phoid. Because first, there may be constipation: this 
may and usually does produce all the symptoms of t}-- 
phoid fever. The constipation allows fermentation to 
take place in the digestive tract; this causes irrita- 
tion which may stimulate increased activity and result 
in diarrhea; or the morbid effects of constipation may 
cause paralysis of the nerves suppMng the arteries 
along the digestive tract; this would allow the arteries 
to dilate and discharge large quantities of water, which 
would cause diarrhea of a typical typhoid variety, yet 
there would be no typhoid. The word typhoid means 
stupor, therefore, strictly speaking, any condition of 
stupor where fever is present may be called typhoid, 
and some doctors do apply the term to many low condi- 
tions where fever is present. Bacteriologists claim that 
typhoid fever is caused by a certain specific germ, yet 
all the symptoms and even the ulceration may occur 
without their germ. Suppose the bacteriologist is 
called and he pronounces the case typhoid fever, and 
to make assurance doubly sure, he takes his microscope 



^ 



l 



182 . MICEOBES AND HEALTH. 

% mt finds the so called typhoid germ. Does that prove 
jtTs typhoid^ or that it was caused by a germ? No, 
/^ ^bacteriology itself proves that germs do not cause ty- 
phoid fever, for they tell iis that the germ is only pres- 
ent in one-half the number of cases, even their leader, 
Dr. Koch, is only able to find the germ in fifty per cent 
of cases. 

Bacteriologists know this to be true. Green's Path- 
I , ology? page 326, states that the great germ-theorist, 

Koch, "demonstrated the presence of the germ in one- 
half the cases examined by him.'' The same page 
states: "A very important paper by Gaffky appeared 
in 1884. He started with the observation that the 
germ had been found in only one-half the cases 
examined." 

What caused the disease in the other half ? Bacter- 
iologists give the following definition of doubtful 
cases, in fact it is taught by bacteriologists in one of 
the leading medical colleges: "An infectious disease 
is one in 'which a pathogenic germ enters the body; 
germs grow, multiply and produce poisons which di- 
rectly cau^e disease, hence no disease is infectious 
that is no| a germ-disease, therefore every infecti- 
ous disease joints directly to a germ, whether the germ 
has been foi^id or not." 

Does this prove that disease is caused by a germ? 

Wm. F. Waugh, A. M., M. D., known at home and 
abroad for his penetration of thought and practical 
knowledge, says in his "Treatment of the Sick," page 
417: "Ordinarily the 'inoculation of animals with the 
typhoid gern\ fails to .produce an analogous disease." 






TYPHOID FEVER. 183 

In other words^ inject the germ into the body and th^re 
will be no result. 

Evidently the bacteriologists are not satisfied with 
their definition of disease, and after mnch labor have 
prepared the Widal test. Knowing that some consider 
this test of little valne, and to aid in arriving at the 
truth, the author addressed six letters to six leading 
bacteriologists, inquiring wherein the test is weak. 
The answers contain the following quotations: One 
says : '^'The test must be made at a certain time, or no 
Widal reaction will take place." Another says : "The 
Widal reaction is weak because its characteristic reac- 
tion is not produced until late in the disease, generally 
from the tenth to the twelfth day." Another says: 
"The value of the AYidal test is disputed by some, for 
the reason that the blood of patients other than typhoid 
gives the same reaction, unless certain precautions are 
taken." The foregoing answers were included in per- 
sonal letters. 

The N'ew York Board of Health replied by printed 
circular, from which the following quotations are 
taken : 

"The blood of persons suffering from or having re- 
cently had t^^phoid fever, contains, as a rule, after the 
fifth day of the disease, certain substances, etc." The 
circular also states that: "It has been shown that 
occasionally the blood of persons suffering from other 
diseases possesses this peculiar property." Again the 
circular states: "These substances are also occasion- 
ally present in small amounts in other diseases and 
even in health." Ao:ain, "If the blood contains the 



184 MICEOBES AN-D HEALTH. 

substance in sufficient amount to canse prompt and 
marked reaction, the presence of a previous or existing 
typhoid infection may be considered extremely prob- 
able." Other requirements are named and the circular 
states, if these are met: "The presence of a previous 
or existing typhoid infection may, for diagnostic pur- 
poses, be practically considered as established." The 
circular also states : "The reaction is occasionally ab- 
sent in cases of typhoid fever until the third or fourth 
week, or even until convalescence is established." 

"Four weeks, or until convalescence!" It might be 
interesting to know at what time convalescence makes 
it appearance in those cases treated by the New York 
Board of Health. 

In another place the circular states : "In those cases 
in which the reaction is absent after the ninth day, it 
may be reasonably assumed that the large majority will 
not prove to be typhoid fever." 

In a paper by Dr. D. Murray Cowie, read before the 
Ann Arbor Medical Club (Michigan), September 13, 
1899, the author understands Dr. Cowie to say, that 
the Widal reaction may occur thirty-seven years after 
recovery from typhoid fever. 

On the New York circular there is printed in large 
type : "Circular of information." Is it ? It says "as 
a rule" the blood of typhoid patients between the fifth 
day and the third or fourth week, or until convalescence, 
contains a certain substance which gives the Widal test. 
It also says the blood of persons suffering from other 
diseases, and even those in health, may possess the same 
properties as that of the typhoid fever patient. Again, 



TYPHOID FEVEK. 185 

•''It is extremely probable.'" or '"the presence of a preri- 
oiis or existing typhoid infection may. for diagnostic 
purposes, be practically considered as established.'' 
^'May be reasonably asstimed.'^ so and so. Dr. Cowie's 
paper says thirty-seTen years after the disease. 

If obliged to depend on the TVidal test^. can the bac- 
teriologists decide whether a suspected case is or is not 
typhoid fever? It A\'otild seem as though Mrs, Mar\- 
Moss Baker Glover Patterson G. Eddy Tvas correct when 
she said : "The nothingness of nothing is plain.*" 

What a contrast it would be for bacteriology to 
make a clear positive statement, just one. Something 
it has never yet done. TThy? Simply because they 
are dealing with theory. Admitting that there may 
be some value in the TTidal test, the fact still remains 
that the test or reaction does not generally take place 
until about two weeks after the disease is established. 
Who is satisfied to wait two weeks ? 

If elimination has been thorough and antiseptics 
have been given in sufficiently large doses, in most cases 
prompt recovery will follow in a few days. The writer 
knows this from experience. The reason is that in 
most cases typhoid is not present, and if it were, the 
above treatment, with proper hygienic sttrroundings. 
would cut most cases short. 

Take a case of genuine typhoid fever, the bacteriolo- 
gist takes a drop of water from the well, places it under 
the microscope^ and finds it loaded with germs. Does 
that prove the germs caused the disease? Xo; it only 
proves that the water was full of decomposing matter 
which ftirnished a medium or food upon which germs 



186 MICROBES AKD HEALTH. 

could thrive. It was such decomposing material gen- 
erated within the patient that poisoned the system and 
produced the disease. 

Collins H. Johnson, B. A., M. D., bacteriologist and 
member of the Michigan State Board of Health, says 
in a recent published letter: "Many epidemics of ty- 
phoid fever, due to the domestic use of polluted water, 
are now on record, and while typhoid germs have rarely 
been discovered in such water, the fact of the trans- 
mission of the disease in this manner is absolutely con- 
clusive.^' Is such a statement probably true, or does 
it contradict itself? Dr. Johnson next speaks of the 
manner of proving the presence of the germ in sus- 
pected water, and adds : "This is a tedious and difficult 
process and is not regularly carried out by any of the 
State Boards of Health of the various cities. In only 
a very few well authenticated instances have typhoid 
germs been isolated from contaminated water." 

The bacteriologists tell us that epidemics of typhoid 
fever are caused by germs? Yes. That water is the 
medium by which the germs are carried into the system ? 
Yes. That such germs have "rarely been discovered in 
such water ?" Yes. That boards of health of the vari- 
ous cities seldom look for typhoid fever germs? Yes. 
And "in only a very few instances have typhoid germs 
been isolated from suspected water ?" Yes. Yet "the 
facts of the transmission of the disease in this manner 
are absolutely conclusive ?'' Yes. Let a man give such 
conflicting evidence upon any other subject and he 
would be called insane. Such evidence will not carry 



TYPHOID FEVEE. 187 

conviction^ but snch statements will hasten the day 
when the germ theories will be relegated to the past 
as they surely will be. Are there any morbid changes 
that are always present in typhoid? Yes; tender- 
ness along the digestive tract, and ulceration of 
what are called Pe3^er's patches; yet, as already stated, 
tenderness may and usually does occur without typhoid, 
and ulceration of Peyer^s patches can only be proven by 
a post mortem examination. 

Scattered throughout the small bowel are numerous 
small glands. They are placed in the mucous mem- 
brane; have no excretory ducts, and their use is said 
to be unknown. Yet they undoubtedly aid in diges- 
tion, as they are largest or most developed during the 
digestive period. In places these glands are clustered 
together, forming little groups. These groups are 
called Peyer's patches, because first described by Dr. 
Peyer. There are from twenty to thirty of these 
groups, var3dng from one-half inch in width to three, 
four or more inches in length. 

The mucous membrane covering them is highly vas- 
cular; i. e., abundantly supplied with blood vessels. 
The normal blood supply being greater than in the sur- 
rounding mucous membrane, the inflammation is more 
intense, therefore a good field for degenerative changes, 
ulceration, etc., and that is the reason ulceration oc- 
curs at these particular points. 

Ulceration of Peyer's patches is understood by phy- 
sicians everywhere to mean typhoid fever. Without 
such ulceration it is not typhoid fever. Post mortem 



mi ' 



7A 



188 MICROBES AN'D HEALTH. 

•examinations would undoubtedly prove that the glands 
in question are not often invaded, and that but few 
€ases of typhoid fever actually exist. 

Can typhoid occur the second time? ISTot if all the 
glands are invaded by the first attack, because every 
gland that is invaded is destroyed and is not replaced, 
therefore there could be no second invasion. The 
glands are not often all invaded at one time. 

If there has been a case of general sepsis or poison- 
ing along the digestive tract, and it changes to typhoid ; 
i. e., Peyer's patches become invaded, are there any 
signs or symptoms by which the doctor may know posi- 
tively that such change has taken place? No, he can 
only judge from the mass of evidence. General intes- 
tinal sepsis can and does give all the symptoms of ty- 
phoid fever, and every doctor of experience understands 
that many cases of auto or self-infection, with a catar- 
rhal condition of the stomach and digestive tract, and 
insui^cient liver-action, may be and often are taken 
for typhoid fever. And some day people will wake up 
to the fact that typhoid fever depends upon intestinal 
sepsis that has existed for weeks and probably months 
before the disease gained a foothold. If this general 
septic condition is relieved there will be no disease. 

The author knows from experience that the ordinary 
case of what may be called typhoid fever can be cured 
promptly by thorough elimination and disinfection. 
It is no more or less than a low form of fever which 
has been brought on by the gradual absorption of many 
poisons from the digestive tract. Or some of the poi- 
sons may have crept into the system from unhealthy 



TYPHOID FEVER. ISO" 

siirroundingSj as old cellars, decomposing vegetable 
matter, water containing decomposing matter, bad 
drainage, poor ventilation, etc. These conditions are 
responsible for many cases of prolonged sickness. 

The patient may be pale, emaciated and weak, with 
more or less bloating and soreness along the digestive 
tract. In some cases the soreness or over sensitive^ 
ness is not confined to any particular part, but is pres- 
ent more or less in all parts of the body. All of these 
conditions are accompanied by a fever, and sometimes 
night-sweats. 

The conditions just enumerated are not only the 
cause of typhoid fever, but of consumption also. There 
may be curvature of the spine caused by weak muscles, 
relaxed ligaments, and lying too long in one position. 

In all of these conditions there is a low form of in- 
flammation along the mucous membrane lining the 
digestive tract, and if the inflammation is severe enough 
there will be degenerative changes in Peyer's glands. 
It has been stated that when Peyer's glands are invaded 
they are destroyed, and that when they are all de- 
stroyed typhoid fever cannot occur again. That is 
true, yet the same unhealthy condition may occur 
again, and each time the sj^mptoms of typhoid fever 
will be present. 

If the digestive tract was kept in a healthy condi- 
tion typhoid fever would be a thing unknown. So 
would nearly all other forms of disease, for the pri- 
mary cause is indigestion, followed by a lack of nour- 
ishment, a lowering of the vital forces, the gradual 
accumulation of poisons in the system, etc. 



190 MICKOBES A^-D HEALTH. 

Is typhoid fever catching ? A man eats too much or 
too fast, works too hard or not enough, or indulges in 
some form of excess ; digestion is interfered with, elimi- 
nation is checked, degenerative changes follow, the sys- 
tem becomes saturated with self-generated poisons, vi- 
tality is lowered, the powers of resistance are reduced 
to a minimum, the septic blood courses through the 
body producing irritation and inflammation; disease 
follows. It may be located in the digestive tract as 
in typhoid fever, in the lungs as in consumption, in the 
liver, kidneys, heart, brain or elsewhere. 

Typhoid fever is hot catching, but depends upon a 
long train of the conditions just enumerated. The pa- 
tient has overstepped the limit of safety and now na- 
ture is demanding her rights. First, digestion was poor 
from some cause, the blood contained many impurities, 
so did the digestive tract, and gradually the system was 
brought under the influence of putrefactive changes. 
The nervous system became more or less paralyzed. 
Sometimes one kind of poison is generated and some- 
times another, according to the surroundings, kind of 
food taken, etc., and by reason of the different poisons, 
it follows that sometimes one organ is affected and 
sometimes another. 

The same is true with other poisons, strychnine, mor- 
phine, aconite, etc., used in medicine. First, there is 
congestion, then inflammation, and if severe enough 
some cells or tissues die from lack of nourishment, if in 
the lungs it is consumption, if in the kidneys it is 
Bright's disease, if in the liver it is liver abscess, if 
in the digestive tract it may be in Peyer's patches as 



TYPHOID FEVER. 191 

in typhoid fever, or abscess of the appendix as in ap- 
pendicitis. 

What have germs had to do with producing these dis- 
eases ? Nothing; absolutely nothing. After disease is 
established germs are present, of conrse. This is ac- 
cording to a universal law. AYherever there is dead 
tissue, or any other form of dead matter, germs are 
always present to reduce it to simpler forms — to separ- 
ate the elements or component parts and give them 
back to nature, thus permitting them to aid in the 
formation of something new. 

As stated elsewhere, it is by -this plan the Divine 
Intelligence carries on the world's economy. Every- 
one understands that the dead support the living, but 
first the elements of the dead must be separated and 
given back to nature's laboratory. This change is 
called fermentation or putrefaction, and can only 
take place with the aid of a ferment. I^ature has 
designed that germs shall act as the ferment, hence 
their universal presence. Earth, air and water are 
swarming with them, and during disease they also 
inhabit that part of the system that is affected. 

Pepsin of the stomach digests albumin; i. e., converts 
into other substances. So also when tissue is de- 
stroyed by disease, the presence of germs converts such 
tissue into other substances, some into gases, some into 
pus. This aids in elimination and in relieving the sys- 
tem. Could not the dead tissue have been removed 
without the presence of germs ? N"o. Even the bac- 
teriologists teach this, as shown by the following words, 
found on page 270, Green's Pathology: "xA.ll the pro- 



192 MICROBES AND HEALTH. 

cesses comprised in the terms fermentation and putre- 
faction are due to the action of vegetable organisms/^ 

The results just described are perfectly natural. 
Thousands of times before, germs have been present 
in this same system, but there was no disease, and the 
germs were promptly destroyed by the fluids of the 
stomach or other secretions of the body; and, even 
when t3^phoid fever is present the fluids of the stomach 
may still destroy the so called typhoid germ, and that 
is the reason there are so many cases of typhoid fever 
where this particular germ is absent. 

That is the reason Koch, Gaffky and others men- 
tioned can find the germ in only one-half the cases 
they examine. There were other germs present, how- 
ever, and they decomposed the dead tissue and formed 
the ulcers in Peyer's glands. 

Self-infection from the digestive tract may give the 
symptoms of tj^hoid fever so closely that it is impos- 
sible to decide, yet sometimes we meet those who, upon 
entering the house, and before seeing the patient, ex- 
claim: "Typhoid fever!" In the minds of some this 
is an exhibition of remarkable intelligence. After that 
it is typhoid fever, of course, and the case is treated 
accordingly. 

Say to a man: You look sick. You are threatened 
with nervous prostration, or: You are going to have 
a run of the fever, and you may have a very sick pa- 
tient on your hands. That is blind submission, and 
causes bodily suffering or increases it, by admitting its 
reality. Instruct' the same patient to meet the ap- 



TYPHOID FEVER. 193 

proacliing sj^mptoms witli all the strength of intelli- 
gent manhood and note the contrast. 

"Had Blondin thought it impossible to walk a rope 
over Magara^s abyss of waters, he conld not have done 
it; his belief gave him the victory/^ 

The doctor who tells the plain unvarnished truth will 
often lose his patient, because people like to be humored 
in their ideas of sickness. That is true, yet it is not 
necessary to say to a man: "You have typhoid fever 
and must lie here four weeks," or "until convales- 
cence;" neither is it necessary to surround yourself with 
an air of superior(?) knowledge, by saying that this 
disease is caused by the fundamental thesis of the 
chemical products of dissociation which combine to 
operate against the organic functions. This over- 
balances the conditions of the organic membrane, in 
proportion to the osmotic fluids of the body and disease 
follows. If the hydrolitic effects of the inverting 
enzyms upon the carbohydrates now in the system, 
aid in supporting the patient until the physiological 
relations between the two are equalized, then the intra- 
organic oxydation of the proteids will be absorbed by 
the semi-permeability of cell-protoplasm and recovery 
will follow. 

The doctor is losing his usefulness when he fails to 
fully instruct the patient or others in such language 
as may be easily understood. 

13 



THE NON-CONTAGIOUS DISEASES. 

Barring accident, injury or abnormal development, 
this form of disease is but the result of some disturbance 
of the digestive organs. 

The different diseases are but different expressions 
of one cause, namely, auto or self-infection. I know 
there are many who do not agree with this statement, 
not yet, but gradually they are being converted to rea- 
son and better judgment. Gradually the theorist is 
letting go some of his faith in germs and accepting a 
more reasonable teaching. 

The human system produces enough poison in twenty- 
four to thirty-six hours to destroy life if it were re- 
tained in the body. This poison is the natural waste 
and worn-out matter which in health is eliminated and 
replaced by the food that we eat. Diseases are caused 
by alcohol or tobacco, by improper food, by rapid eat- 
ing, by eating and drinking too much, by too much 
strong tea and coffee, by late suppers, by irregular and 
careless habits, by decayed teeth, by a lack of exercise 
and fresh air, by too much hard work, by laziness, 
by exposure, by improper clothing, or by some form 
of excess. 

All realize the importance of eating, but the neces- 
sity of equal elimination is but imperfectly appreciated. 

So long as waste and repair are equal, and the waste 



THE N'OX-COI^TACtIOUS DISEASES. 195 

is eliminated as fast as produced, health is the result; 
but when the equilibrium is disturbed, disease is the 
result. It is understood, of course, that there may be 
a natural increase, or decrease; i. e., should a man com- 
mence the blacksmith^s or the carpenter's trade, there 
would be an increase in the size of the muscles of the 
arm using the hammer or the saw ; should he change his 
occupation there might be a decrease in the size of the 
same muscles. In the first instance there would be an 
excess of growth over waste, and in the second an excess 
of waste over growth, yet neither would indicate dis- 
ease. 

When the blood is poor and the circulation sluggish, 
the little cells and tissues of the body lose their vitality 
from a lack of nourishment, and it is this condition that 
opens the door to disease. 

It is estimated that the network of blood vessels 
which envelop the body, and which lie Just beneath 
the skin, are capable of holding one-half the blood in 
the system. This is evidence that nature has designed 
free peripheral circulation. 

In health the average amount eliminated through 
the skin is about twenty-four ounces in twenty-four 
hours. This watery exudate contains from two to four 
per cent of solid matter. Should a part of this be re- 
tained in the system, it would act as an irritant or poi- 
son, and produce a low form of inflammation or disease. 
Should all be retained it would produce death. 

Cold stimulates the nerves supplying the sweat- 
glands and the peripheral vessels, and they contract. 
This locks up the secretions and causes congestion of the 



196 MICROBES AKD HEALTH. 

internal organs, and digestion is interfered with. This 
increases the waste and irritating substances. This 
condition usually results from improper food, rapid 
eating, etc., as already stated. 

Elimination relieves congestion and inflammation, 
causes free circulation, flushes the capillaries or small 
blood vessels, carries away waste, restores normal re- 
sistance to external influences, and thus wards off dis- 
ease. 

Digestion, assimilation and elimination, are the foun- 
dation stones of life and health. 

Disease is an indication that waste and poisonous 
matter is retained in the system and must be removed 
before permanent improvement can be hoped for. If 
two pounds of food are taken into the system, two 
pounds of waste must be eliminated, or the health will 
suffer. 

When elimination is checked, the waste blocks the 
circulation, causing congestion, first in those organs 
doing the most work, because they produce the most 
waste. With poor digestion, faulty elimination, and a 
lack of nourishment which must follow, the whole sys- 
tem is weakened and depressed, and there may result 
chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, consumption, rheuma- 
tism, disease of the heart, brain and spinal cord, 
Bright^s disease, or any other ailment. Some being 
liable to one and some to another, according to their 
several powers of resistance. 

Dyspepsia is usually accompanied by constipation. 
Following this comes degenerative changes in the diges- 
tive tract and the production of poisons, some of which 



THE KOi^-CO:^TAGIOrS DISEASES. 197 

enter the circulation, and gradually the individual is 
overcome. The nervous system is hathed with impuri- 
ties and loses its sensitiveness and power to control, 
the brain becomes clouded and dull, a sense of languor 
and indisposition pervades the whole being, the activity 
of the tissues or cells is diminished, their power to select 
nourishment is lessened, the blood lacks the normal 
elements, and the most shattered state of the vital 
forces exists. Ambition and energy are gone, and that 
"tired feeling,^^ so dear to the patent-medicine shark, 
takes possession. This condition may exist for months 
in a mild form, the individual keeping about his work, 
or may explode suddenly, producing great prostration. 

The trouble usually commences in the stomach. The 
irritation paralyzes more or less the delicate nerves 
supphdng the blood vessels. They lose control, the 
vessels dilate and too much blood is the result. The 
mucous membrane lining the stomach is thickened and 
swollen, the digestive fluid becomes changed in quality, 
it lacks the digestive power, and the secretions become 
thick and tenacious, the result of catarrh of the stom- 
ach. 

The septic condition of the digestive tract may result 
in appendicitis, typhoid fever, or peritonitis. It may 
cause chronic catarrh, tuberculosis, or cancer of the 
stomach. Tuberculosis of the digestive tract in adults 
rarely occurs unless other parts of the body are invaded 
first. 

In nearly all cases of fatal chronic diseases of the 
heart, brain, lungs, kidneys, rheumatism, etc., we are 
told that a careful examination of the mucous mem- 



198 MICKOBES AI^D HEALTH. 

brane of the digestive tract will show numerous traces 
of disease^ inflammatory thickening and ulceration. In 
many instances the mucous membrane of the stomach 
is found detached, leaving the inner surface of the 
organ raw and granular. Many of the glands that fur- 
nish the digestive fluids are narrowed or destroyed. 
The ducts which convey the bile and pancreatic fluids 
are often contracted and thickened. This prevents, 
more or less, the flow of these fluids, and digestion suf- 
fers in proportion. 

In health the higher forms of digestion are carried 
on in the circulation, but with the condition described 
such digestive changes do not take place, or rather the 
change in the digestive organs and fluids permits an 
ever-increasing amount of waste to enter the circula- 
tion, and these irritating substances result in a low 

I form of inflammation. 

The bile-duct opens into the digestive tract three 

^ and one-half inches below the stomach. During con- 

I gestion or chronic inflammation from septic blood, this 

duct may become closed, obstructing the flow of bile, 
which now seeks other means of escape, some passing 

I out through the skin, producing its characteristic color 

called jaundice. This condition is also indicated by a 

! bitter taste in the mouth. 

With fermentation in the stomach the taste is sour, 
because the stomach produces acids. 

The return circulation from the digestive tract passes 
through the liver, hence any poisons resulting from 

; poor digestion are carried direct to this organ, and re- 



THE NOK-CONTAGIOUS DISEASES. 199 

suit in inflammation and enlargement, or may be fol- 
lowed by liver abscess, fatty degeneration, cancer, etc. 
The kidneys are small organs, yet they contain a com- 
paratively large amount of blood, hence poor digestion 
and a disordered system may produce a low form of 
inflammation and Bright^s disease. 

Passing through the circulatory system the septic 
blood affects the arteries, producing chronic inflamma- 
tion. The arteries first thicken and then become soft 
and flabby, the result of degenerative changes. The 
arteries lose their elasticity, and there results a lack of 
nourishment in the tissues or organs supplied by the 
diseased vessels, or the vessels may rupture. The small 
arteries are most liable to rupture, as they are thinner 
and more easily destroyed. A blood-clot may form at 
the point and prevent hemorrhage. This clot is called 
a thrombus. It would stop the circulation, and the 
part or tissues supplied by this artery would lack nour- 
ishment, degenerate and soften, or an abscess may form. 
If in the stomach it would cause ulcer. The diseased 
arteries may gradually narrow without a blood-clot un- 
til the nutrition is so far shut off that softening may 
occur. 

Some of the changes in the arteries are naturally the 
result of old age, yet as a result of septic blood and a 
disordered system, they may be, and are frequently, 
met in the young and those of middle life. Any condi- 
tion that interferes with digestion or lessens oxidation 
may produce fatty degeneration of the heart, kidneys, 
liver, brain or other organs. 



200 MICROBES a;n^d health. 



Hiccough. 



The diaphragm is a thin membrane which divides 
the chest from the abdominal cavity ;, and aids in respir- 
ation, rising and falling with each breath. The stom- 
ach is placed just beneath the diaphragm. The dia- 
phragm passes obliquely backward and downward, hence 
it is not only above but partially behind the stomach. 

During indigestion the stomach may become very ir- 
ritable and sensitive. The constipation which follows 
causes bloating and pressure and this increases the 
trouble. The stomach is forced upwards and irritates 
the diaphragm. 

The solar plexus is a large collection of nerves situ- 
ated just behind the stomach. Irritation may be com- 
municated through this bundle of nerves, as it receives 
branches from both the stomach and diaphragm. Any 
condition which stimulates the diaphragm may result 
in hiccough, as the mechanism of its production rests 
upon the contraction of the diaphragm downward. 
This is so sudden that it causes a vacuum in the chest. 
The outside air now attempts to rush into the lungs, 
but is prevented by the sudden closure of the glottis, 
the space between the vocal cords through which the air 
passes. This produces the peculiar sound known as 
hiccough. 

Why does the glottis close at this time more than 
during ordinary breathing? Because the spasmodic 
action of the diaphragm against the stomach causes 
spasm of this organ also, and the same nerve which 
supplies the stomach supplies the vocal cords, hence 



THE :N'02s'-C0XTAGI0US DISEASES. 201 

every spasm of the diaphragm being conYeyed to the 
stomach is flashed over the nerve-fibers to the vocal 
cords and they contract^ closing the space between 
them. 

Hiccough usually stops without attention. Some- 
times the trouble is persistent and is said to cause 
death. Hiccough never causes death. It is only a 
symptom. It is the septic condition of the digestive 
tract that causes death. Free elimination will usually 
relieve the trouble. 

Hiccough may be caused by inflammation of the 
upper part of the spinal cord^ as that part of the cord 
situated in the neck sends out the nerves which pass 
downward through the chest cavity and supply the 
diaphragm^ and the inflammation might so irritate and 
excite these nerves as to cause spasmodic action, as de- 
scribed. 

A tumor in the lungs may cause pressure upon these 
nerves and result in irritation and spasm. The same 
nerve that supplies the lungs also supplies the stomach, 
and through the solar plexus communicates with the 
nerve supplying the diaphragm; hence the irritation 
from a tumor in any part of the lungs may cause spasm 
and hiccough. 

Hiccough may result from a strangulated hernia, be- 
cause the nerves which supply the digestive tract also 
communicate with the solar plexus and thus with the 
diaphragm. 

Peritonitis or inflammation of the thin membrane 
which surrounds the digestive tract may also cause 
hiccouofh. 



202 MICROBES AKD HEALTH. 

Glycosuria, or Diabetes Mellitus. 

During digestion the starch contained in the different 
food products is converted into glucose or grape-sugar. 
This is absorbed and carried by the veins direct to the 
liver, where some of it is converted into a substance 
called gl3^cogen, and this is stored up by the liver-cells 
and delivered to the circulation as the system requires. 
As a result of indigestion and lack of nourishment the 
liver may become unhealthy and unable to convert the 
glucose into glycogen, and then there is too much glu- 
cose or grape-sugar in the circulation. 

The system cannot oxidize so much, and passing 
through the circulation it irritates and weakens the 
kidneys, until some of it finds its way into the secreting 
tubes and is eliminated. 

Primarily this is <3alled glycosuria, or diabetes, later it 
produces Bright^s disease. 

In health the glucose or grape-sugar is oxidized: i. e., 
unites with the oxygen from the air we breathe. This 
produces heat and aids in maintaining the bodily tem- 
perature, but the system cannot oxidize the excessive 
amount present in diabetes, hence its appearance 
through the kidneys, and later Bright's disease. 

The cause of glycosuria has never been given. Medi- 
cal authors have charged the disease to the liver, kid- 
neys, pancreas, brain, "some undiscovered condition of 
the nervous system,^' etc. Undoubtedly the first cause 
of this disease is found in the lowering effects of dys- 
pepsia and retained waste. This results in a lack of 
nourishment, the nervous system becomes weakened 
and irritated, and the different organs cannot properly 



THE XOJ^-COKTAGIOUS DISEASES. 203 

perform their work. The liver is unable to convert the 
glucose into glycogen and too much grape-sugar is per- 
mitted to circulate through the system. This acts as 
an irritant and increases the trouble, the liver becomes 
inflamed and disease follows. This corresponds to the 
condition of the liver, for it is inflamed and enlarged. 

A diseased stomach irritates the heart and it becomes 
weak and fluttering. This is often called palpitation. 
The sympathy between the heart and stomach is close, 
because the same nerve supplies both organs. A dis- 
eased stomach and a weak heart cause a feeble circula- 
tion ; a feeble circulation lessens the lung-power, breath- 
ing is interfered with, less oxygen is taken into the 
system, the red corpuscles (the oxygen-carriers) become 
pale and lose their vitalizing influence, less carbonic 
acid gas is exhaled, the lung-tissue loses its vitality and 
elasticity from a lack of nourishment, congestion of the 
lungs follows, producing an unhealthy exudate in the 
air tubes, followed by more or less cough and expectora- 
tion. This is bronchitis. 

With a feeble circulation the skin becomes inactive 
and fails to eliminate. The dense network of vessels 
which lie just beneath the skin are congested and the 
circulation sluggish, the glands in the skin become filled 
with decomposing matter and inflammation and exces- 
sive secretion results as in eczema, dandruff, and other 
forms of skin disease. These conditions do not respond 
readily to treatment; thus proving that the cause is 
systemic. Boils and carbuncles are produced in the 
same way. 

Chronic congestion with partial loss of nerve-control 



"204 MICEOBES AND HEALTH. 

may result in rapid proliferation of morbid or diseased 
tissue and produce cancer. 

Tumor. 

The bacteriologists would have us believe 

That cancer is caused, by germs. 

They tell us that the cancer-bug feeds on human flesh. 

The schizomycetes on the liver; 

While the actinomycosis and the lockjaw forces 

Send their victims o'er the river. 

Cancers are sometimes simply termed tumors. A 
tumor is any overgrowth, or abnormal development. 
Inflammatory swellings are sometimes called tumors. 
Tumors are deviations, both in size and shape, from the 
normal tissues in which they are found. Tumors usu- 
ally possess an inherent tendency of growth; their 
growth is independent, continuing when the rest of the 
body is only being maintained in its normal type, or 
while the tumor is growing the body may lose in weight. 
Those tumors which end fatally are called malignant; 
those which are not destructive to life being called 
benign. 

One of the leading characteristics of a malignant tu- 
mor is a tendency to degenerate and destroy the ulti- 
mate elements of the tissue in which it occurs. Gen- 
erally speaking, a tumor may be considered cancerous 
(malignant) when it infiltrates or invades surrounding 
tissue, when it invades the connecting lymphatic glands, 
when it is attended by stinging or darting pains, or by 
obstinate and slowly extending ulcerations, when occur- 
ring is a person having impaired health, and not trace- 
able to any known cause. People who brood in secret 



THE XOX-COXTAGIOUS DISEASES. 205 

over the suspicion of a cancer subject the sj^stem to 
lowering tendencies, which render them more liable to 
other diseases. A cancer grows from a division of its 
own cells, and without any support from the cells consti- 
tuting the surrounding tissue. 

Tumors are subject to disease the same as healthy 
tissue. Aside from transmission from the blood-stream 
and lymphatics, malignant growths may be carried 
down the trachea, and through the ureters. The more 
purely cellular the tumor, the more malignant the 
growth. ^N'euromas, or nerve-tumors, are rare, affect 
only the motor nerves, and are harmless except from 
pressure or mechanical interference. Malignant tu- 
mors are called carcinoma, sarcoma, and epithelioma. 
Carcinoma has a framework of connective tissue the 
same as other structures and organs, and the interven- 
ing spaces are filled with epithelial cells. Epithelium 
is the name given to the cells which cover the surface 
of the body and all mucous membrane. AAlien the con- 
nective tissue framework is thick and the spaces are 
filled with large cells, the cancer is hard and fibrous. 
Sometimes there is but a small amount of connective 
tissue framework, with a corresponding increase in the 
epithelial cells which constitute the growth, giving it a 
soft appearance, resembling the physical character of 
brain-matter, hence they are called encephaloid, mean- 
ing brain-like. 

Sometimes hard carcinomas, which grow from the 
skin and mucous membrane, are called epitheliomas. 
They occur on the lip, nose, tongue, stomach, etc., sa 
called because of their being located on the surface. 



206 MICROBES AN^D HEALTH. 

Carcinomas are formed in the lymphatic tissue. The 
spaces between the fibers which form the framework 
are merely dilated lymph spaces, and these spaces are 
more or less filled with epithelial cells. The blood- 
vessels are situated in the connective tissue framework, 
therefore do not communicate directly with the cells, 
which lie loose within the spaces, and which constitute 
the growth. If carcinoma should cause destruction of 
the connective tissue framework sufficient to reach the 
blood-vessels, more or less hemorrhage would result and 
it would then spread by the blood-stream as well as by 
the lymphatics. As carcinoma or cancer is always de- 
rived from epithelial cells, it may occur primarily where- 
ever these cells are found. These cells cover the muc- 
ous membrane of the digestive tract, that lining the air- 
tubes of the lungs; they cover the serous membranes 
lining all closed cavities, as the abdominal, chest cavity, 
etc., all glands and their ducts. When cancer is found 
in other tissues it is secondary, having been carried b}^ 
the circulation or lymphatics. Those forms of cancer 
called sarcomas, like carcinomas, are given many 
names. They are composed of embryonic or newly 
formed connective tissue cells. Connective tissue forms 
a framework for all the structures of the body. When 
resulting from inflammation, the new cells are first 
small and round, next they elongate into oval or spindle 
cells, then become hard and fibrous. In sarcoma these 
cells may undergo no higher change, but remain round, 
or they may become oval, spindle-shape or fibrous; 
hence there are round-cell sarcoma, oval-cell sarcoma, 
and spindle-cell sarcoma. When there is general fibril- 



THE :N'Oiq^-CO]SrTAGIOUS DISEASES. 207 

lation with loss of many cells, as in degeneration, they 
are called myxoma, or myeloid sarcoma, from their re- 
semblance to bone-marrow. Sometimes the framework 
contains black pigment or coloring matter; these are 
called melano-sarcoma. 

Combinations of these and other names are used. 
Chrondroma means a tnmor springing from cartilage; 
osteoma, one springing from bone; myoma, springing 
from muscle ; neuroma, nerve-tnmor. Myxoma (mncons) 
or myxo-sarcoma, is so called when degenerative changes 
have produced a gelatinous substance resembling 
mucous. 

Lipoma is one containing much fat. 

Sarcomas are composed of embryonic or newly 
formed connective tissue cells, and may occur wherever 
there is connective tissue. They may arise at any age, 
but are most common in early life, while carcinomas sel- 
dom occur before forty years of age. In carcinoma the 
blood vessels are situated in the connective tissue frame- 
work, in sarcoma they open directly into the growth, 
and in their passage through the tumor the vessel walls 
are formed by sarcomatous cells; therefore the cells 
may easily fall into the current and be washed away 
by the circulation. The veins may carry some of these 
cells to the heart, and as the blood is sent through the 
lungs the malignant cells may lodge in the capillary 
network of vessels and produce secondary sarcoma. 
Emboli, or blood-clots, may now be carried back to the 
left side of the heart and sent through the general cir- 
culation, and may lodge in the brain, liver, kidneys, 
bone, etc., and produce secondary sarcoma. Sarcomas 



208 MICEOBES AND HEALTH. 

usually grow more rapidly than carcinomas by reason 
of their more direct blood-supply; and when removed 
they are more likely to recur, because, as just explained, 
the malignant cells are more liable to be distributed 
through the system and may develop at any point. 

Eating cancer, or rodent ulcer, occurs on the face 
and springs from a sweat-gland, sebaceous gland, or 
hair-follicle. 

Birth-marks are sometimes called angioma, meaning 
blood-tumor. They are caused by dilation of the blood- 
vessels which lie just beneath the surface. 

These different varieties differ only in the size and 
shape of the cells of which they are formed, and the 
part of the body in which they are located. Eeally it 
is a distinction without a difference, for unless success- 
fully removed all, except birth-marks, are destructive 
to life. 

Benign tumors, or those not destructive to life, are 
common connective tissue overgrowths. Usually their 
only danger is their mechanical interference with the 
surrounding structures. However, they may rotate at 
the point where they are attached (pedicle), and this 
may cause pressure and check the return circulation. 
The veins would become congested, rupture, and be 
followed by hemorrhage. Inflammation and suppur- 
ation may follow, or inflammatory adhesions might oc- 
cur, the tumor becoming attached to the surrounding 
structures. This might cause perforation into the di- 
gestive tract, and be followed by death. 

Their pressure may cause inflammation of the kid- 
neys, constipation, spasms or paralysis by pressure upon 



THE KOIs^-COXTAGIOUS DISEASES. 209 

nerve-fibers, or may cause enlargement of the heart, 
and be followed by degenerative changes, etc. None 
of these conditions often occur, yet they should be con- 
sidered of sufficient importance for the removal of be- 
nign tumors. Medical writers have never given the 
cause of tumors, or the causes from different investi- 
gators are but different theories, varying in probability 
and ingenuity. 

Cancer. 

A prominent medical writer said recently: "The 
theory of germ-causation, never generally accepted, has 
been almost entirely abandoned. The view most gen- 
erally entertained at this time is that cancer is the re- 
sult of rapid growth of the cells of the basement mem- 
brane, due to septic blood.^^ Basement membrane is a 
thin layer of flattened, almost indistinguishable cells, 
just beneath the surface of the mucous membrane. It 
also forms one of the layers of the skin, and dips down 
into the little glands of the skin, stomach, etc. 

"Cancer is most apt to occur in an organ where septic 
blood has produced chronic congestion or inflammation, 
and nerve-control has become partially lost through 
gradual progressive paralysis. In other words it is a 
degenerative change. The nutrition and function of 
the organ involved have escaped the control of the 
nerves, and the cells of the part multiply energetically 
and lawlessly, according to their nature. Eapid multi- 
plication of tissue-cells always means a diminution of 
vitality in each individual cell. 

"In health the nerve-supply imposes cell-function, 



210 MICROBES AN^D HEALTH. 

retards decay and death; but with this influence im- 
paired or removed by paralysis, the tissue-cells know no 
higher law than their own inherent tendencies, and 
with the abundance of blood and lymph furnished by 
the engorged organ the diseased cells multiply and re- 
produce their kind with the greatest luxuriance and 
abandonment. The most immature and imperfect 
formed cells — those of the surface — are constantly dy- 
ing and breaking down, furnishing the phenomena of 
ulceration and hemorrhage." This corresponds exactly 
with the condition which exists during dyspepsia; lack 
of elimination, lack of nourishment, and the degenerat- 
ing tendencies which always follow. 

Rheumatism. 

Eheumatism is not a disease but a symptom — a symp- 
tom of a disease generated in the system. The term 
muscular rheumatism is not correct. Strictly speaking 
it is neuralgia and neuralgia is but nature's voice calling 
attention to our errors. If the reader could examine 
the affected muscle under the microscope, the fibers of 
which the muscle is formed would be found in a natural 
condition. There would be no inflammation or other 
evidence of disease; demonstrating clearly that the 
trouble was confined to the nerve-fibers and not in the 
muscle. The pain may be increased by exposure, in- 
sufficient food, improper clothing, etc. Hard work also 
increases the irritation, hence those muscles doing the 
most work are most affected, as those of the back, 
shoulders, wrist or other joints. 

Rheumatism may be acute or chronic, may affect 



THE XOIv'-COJs"TACTlOrS DISEASES. 211 

muscles^ joints or other structures. Eheumatism of a 
joint differs from niTiscnlar rheumatism. Every joint 
is enclosed in a thin membrane in the form of a short, 
wide tube. The membrane is attached at either end to 
the margin of the articular surfaces of the bones form- 
ing the joint. This membrane encloses the various lig- 
aments, which support the joint. This membrane fur- 
nishes the secretions or fluids, which lubricate the joint 
and prevent friction. In acute rheumatism of a joint 
the irritation causes an increased blood-supply, and 
there is swelling and redness in proportion to the in- 
crease in the circulation. The more vascular the part, 
the greater the swelling. The swelling causes pressure 
and the pressure causes pain. Eedness or discoloration 
is caused by the escape of the red blood-corpuscles into 
the surrounding tissue. With an increase in the blood- 
supply there is an increase in the tissue changes, hence 
an increase in the temperature because animal temper- 
ature depends upon tissue change. 

This gives what are called the four cardinal symp- 
toms, swelling, redness, heat and pain. Pain is not 
always present. For instance there may be little or no 
pain in chronic inflammation of the liver. There may 
be no pain in inflammation of the solitary glands, called 
Peyer^s glands, in typhoid fever. 

Chronic rheumatism of joints does not usually follow 
the acute, but arises insidiously in pe\:)pie who have 
suffered from exposure, improper food, overwork and 
other hardships. In chronic rheumatism of joints the 
cartilage covering the articulating or adjoining ends of 
bone may become eroded. The exposed bone becomes 



212 MICKOBES AKD HEALTH. 

irregularly thickened^ the capsule or membrane cover- 
ing tlie joints and the ligaments which support it, may 
become fibrous and contract. The prolonged irritation 
has here caused a slow form of inflammation, and the 
same changes take place as elsewhere. There is an in- 
crease in the connective tissue framework; later this 
contracts, deforms the joint and limits mobility. The 
contracting fibers cause pressure, aiding in the destruc- 
tion of cartilage, ligaments and other normal tissues. 
Sometimes during these degenerative changes the liga- 
ment which supports the joint softens, allowing certain 
muscles which are attached near the joint to contract, 
thus causing deformity. Sometimes the tendons and 
ligaments about the joint become filled with lime salts, 
of which bone is formed. This results in a stiff joint. 
Pus does not form. 

The best treatment for chronic rheumatism is hot 
air. A temperature from three hundred to five hun- 
dred degrees may be applied. Hot air dilates the small 
vessels, brings the blood to the surface where it is ap- 
plied, and thus relieves the congestion or inflammation 
beneath. It causes the blood to flow through the part. 
This relieves the pressure and stops the pain, adhesions 
and accumulations are broken down and removed, thus 
preventing stiff joints. There is active discharge 
through the skin, and this removal of waste relieves the 
irritated nerves. The improvement in the circulation 
stimulates natural activity, nutrition is increased, the 
heart is strengthened, a clouded brain is relieved, the 
torpidity is overcome. 



THE Is'OJs'-COiS'TAGIOUS DISEASES. 213 

Massage is also of benefit. Massage stimulates the 
circulation with the same results as hot air, though it 
is much more limited in its effect. 

Electricity, applied by the interrupted or Faradic 
current, is only a means of massage. The advantage 
from the interrupted current comes from the fine, vi- 
brator}^, massage-like effect; in other words, from the 
mechanical effect and not from the electricity. 

The remedies to be used are laxative and antiseptic. 
Digestion must be improved. Hot air or drug-medica- 
tion will be more effectual if administered by one skilled 
in their application: but what any and every one can do 
is to guard against all forms of excess, keep the elimi- 
native organs active, and they will not be troubled with 
rheumatism. Every thinking mind will admit that 
rheumatism is generated from waste products which are 
retained within the system. Active elimination will 
prevent this, and prevention will relieve the necessity 
of treatment. 

Following dyspepsia there is first congestion, and if 
continued this results in a low form of inflammation 
as described. Any part or organ offering the least re- 
sistance will be most affected, and when the inflamma- 
tion reaches a certain point there will be cell-prolifera- 
tion or increase of tissue, resulting from the increased 
blood-supply. 

The new tissue is a form of connective tissue which 
nature designed as a framework for all the structures 
of the body, described on page 138. Gradually the 
natural tissue is replaced by the new. This new tis- 



214 MIOKOBES AND HEALTH. 

sue takes no part in the work carried on by any of 
the various organs, but crowds out more or less the 
original, and the organ or part is weakened in propor- 
tion. Healthy tissue is caught in the contracting fibers 
and destroyed. Many small blood vessels are obliter- 
ated. If in the stomach, the part supplied by such a 
vessel may die from lack of nourishment, degeneration 
follows. 

As stated every scar is an example of this kind of tis- 
sue. The scar looks light in color in proportion to the 
number of blood vessels destroyed. If on the scalp the 
contracting fibers, besides obliterating blood vessels, will 
destroy some of the hair-follicles and leaves a bare spot. 
A scar is large or small according to whether the edges 
of the wound were brought smoothly together or allowed 
to gape, leaving a space to be filled in with what is called 
granulation tissue. 

The amount of this newly formed tissue is in propor- 
tion to the amount of inflammation and septic or poi- 
sonous matter contained in the blood. Perhaps a burn 
gives the best illustration of the contraction of connec- 
tive tissue resulting from inflammation, because there 
is more of it; in this case the tissue destroyed by the 
burn — dead tissue — is in contact with the healthy, and 
as the dead tissue is being decomposed and removed its 
morbid influence comes in direct contact with the liv- 
ing. This is the battle line between the living and the 
dead, hence inflammation is more intense, and there re- 
sults more connective tissue overgrowth. As a result 
of burns many people have seen the hands or face 
drawn out of all resemblance to a human being. 



THE NON-COKTAGIOUS DISEASES. 215 

Paralysis. 

Paralysis is due to inflammatioii and connective tis- 
sue overgrowth, produced by septic blood. The inflam- 
mation affects the spinal cord, or the cord and brain. 
The changes are caused by irritation and a loss of nutri- 
tion. The irritation paralyzes more or less the nerves 
controlling the blood vessels supplying the cord and 
brain, and the vessels dilate. Too much blood is the 
result and there follows a low form of inflammation 
and connective tissue overgrowth, as described. There 
is a corresponding destruction of nerve-fibers and nerve- 
cells in the cord and brain. The contraction of the 
newly formed tissue squeezes the nerve structures, shut- 
ting off their circulation, causing pressure and aiding 
in their destruction. The nerve-fibers are found in 
different stages of degeneration. The semi-independent 
nerve-centers formed by the aggregation of the gang- 
lionic or larger nerve-cells in the cord degenerate and 
disappear more or less completely. With the destruc- 
tion of the natural tissue and the contraction of the con- 
nective tissue overgrowth, the spinal cord becomes hard 
and fibrous. 

According to the newer teaching the nerve-tissue is 
destroyed first, and is followed by connective tissue over- 
growth. It is impossible for this to be true beyond a 
limited extent, for the first nerve-cell that died would 
excite inflammation around it, and this would cause an 
increase in the connective tissue, and the contraction 
of this would destroy other nerve-structures, obliterate 
small arteries, and thus aid in degenerative changes. 



216 MICROBES AKD HEALTH. 

The question is of small importance, however, for back 
of all is a lack of nourishment caused by indigestion. 
Exposure, over-exertion or injury may also be respon- 
sible for some cases of spinal disease. 

Practically all forms of paralysis are the same. They 
consist of increased blood-supply, the result of inflam- 
mation, followed by degeneration of the nerves and 
nerve-cells, an overgrowth of connective tissue which 
contracts and hardens. Sometimes one part of the 
cord is affected, sometimes another. 

A nerve is no more or less than a long drawn out 
process of a nerve-cell. Certain cells in the brain and 
spinal cord send out these prolongations, and thus the 
nervous system is formed. 

The nerves of sensation arise in the back part of the 
cord, hence inflammation of this part is first indicated 
by increased sensibility, which may be in the form of 
pain, numbness, or tingling sensations. Later there is 
loss of sensation, showing that the destruction is more 
complete. 

The nerves of motion arise in the front part of the 
cord, hence inflammation of this part, acting as a stim- 
ulant, is first indicated by increased muscular action. 
This is followed by loss of motion and shrinking of the 
muscles, showing destruction and degeneration of this 
system. 

The voluntary muscles of the body and extremities 
are supplied with nerves from the spinal cord. Many 
of the nerves arising in the brain extend downward, 
connect with the spinal nerves and modify or control 



THE I^'Oiq'-CONTAGIOUS DISEASES. 217 

their action; but during inflammation messages cannot 
be transmitted through the diseased area in the cord, 
and this leaves that portion and all below it without a 
brake, and the spinal nerves having escaped the control 
of the mind, set up a spasmodic action due to the in- 
flammation. 

At first the inflammation acts as a stimulant and the 
nerves respond b}^ involuntary movements. The pa- 
tient cannot control his actions because of the con- 
stant excitement kept up in the cord. 

In the second stage of that form of paralysis known 
as locomotor ataxia, the feet and lower limbs escape the 
control of the patient and fly in all directions. Later 
the hands and arms may suffer in the same way. With 
the destruction of the nerves, all motion is lost and 
paralysis is complete. 

Paralysis of the lower limbs alone indicates invasion 
of the lower part of the spinal cord, because tlie nerves 
governing them arise in the lower part. Paralysis of 
the hands and arms indicates invasion of the cervical 
portion, because the nerves governing them arise there. 

Chronic progressive bulbar paralysis; i. e., paralysis 
of the muscles of the throat, tongue, lips, etc., is caused 
by connective tissue overgrowth at the base of the brain, 
where the nerves supplying these muscles take origin. 
The nerves themselves are first hardened by inflam- 
matory processes, and later degenerate. These changes 
take place gradually; so do these forms of paralj^sis. 
At first a few cells are affected, the number increases 
until nutrition and function of the part escape nerve- 
control, when the change takes place more rapidly. 



218 MICROBES AND HEALTH. 

A blood-clot may plug an artery supplying a group 
of nerve-cells in the cord and cause sudden or acute 
paralysis. 

No attempt has been made to give a detailed account 
of the changes which take place. The object is to call 
attention to the fact that indigestion from any cause 
may result in any and all forms of paralysis. 

Sometimes inflammation of the spinal cord may fol- 
low chronic rheumatism and produce permanent muscu- 
lar contraction, with great deformity of joints. 

These changes in the cord are responsible for all 
forms of paralysis, and may be caused by the irritation 
produced b}^ alcohol, tobacco, over-eating, retained 
waste, etc., as already mentioned. Drinking hard cider 
will do the same thing. Hard cider contains not only 
alcohol, but many acids which will produce inflamma- 
tion and chronic catarrh of the stomach, and this means 
indigestion and disease. 

Volumes are written upon paralysis and nervous dis- 
eases, volumes that would puzzle the angels and drive 
the devil crazy, yet the subject is not so difficult to 
understand. Long-continued irritation in any part of 
the body will sooner or later produce its evil effects by 
interfering with the central nervous system, the brain 
and spinal cord. Headache is characteristic of this 
irritation; so are neuralgia and rheumatism. These are 
nature's language forcibly expressed, telling us of the 
poison in the body and demanding its removal. 

If we continue, we expose ourselves- to all kinds of 
aches and pains, to morbid growths, to all forms of 
nervousness, to paralysis, etc. 



THE XOX-COXTAGIOUS DISEASES. 219 

If these statements are true they clear up the causes 
of many spinal and nervous diseases that have never 
been accounted for. Yet some people are not satisfied 
with a plain^ simple statement of facts, but prefer to 
build upon theor}^, something of a sensational nature. 
But even theory has never given a cause for epilepsy. 

Epilepsy. 

Epilepsy seems to have been born without a father; 
and like Topsy it never had a mother, yet disorders of 
digestion, depression of spirits, loss of vigor, a feeling 
of languor, an unhealthy system, and a clouded brain, 
are common in epileptics, thus giving evidence of a lack 
of nourishment. This robs the blood of its natural 
elements. It has been stated that the higher forms of 
digestion are carried on in the circulation: for instance, 
oxidation aids bodily combustion by burning certain 
elements in the blood: i. e., by uniting with them and 
producing what are called end-products, so called be- 
cause such products undergo no further change, but are 
eliminated. 

To illustrate: As a result of the tissue-change go- 
ing on in the body uric acid is produced. By oxidation 
this is converted into urea and eliminated by the kid- 
neys, but with septic blood oxidation is incomplete and 
urea is not formed, the change stops one step short, 
and the uric acid remains as an irritating substance 
carried through the circulation. This results in inflam- 
mation and degenerative changes in all the tissues of 
the body. The uric acid and other irritating substances 



220 MICROBES AND HEALTH. 

produce a chemical change in the gray matter (cells) 
of the brain. First this change occurs in the blood, 
then in the tissues, including the brain and cord as 
already mentioned. 

If continued, there are later direct molecular or 
structural changes. This accounts for insanity as well 
as epilepsy, for during insanity the chemistry of the 
brain is altered, the composition of the brain-matter is 
not natural. It cannot be otherwise, impure blood 
never did and never will produce healthy natural tissue. 

One-fifth of all the blood in the body goes to nourish 
the brain, hence the brain receives five times as much 
hlood as any other organ of its size; and it must follow 
that any habit or indulgence which impairs digestion, 
and gives unhealthy blood, must produce a special 
morbid influence upon the brain and nervous system. 
Hence the enormous production of nervous debility, 
monomania, hypochondria, insanity, idioc)-, and many 
minor ailments such as rheumatism, neuralgia, headache, 
mental stupor, lack of resolution, etc. Indigestion and 
retained waste irritate the nervous system and produce 
the different mental, nervous and emotional states 
known as hysteria, nervousness, melancholia and other 
depressions and hallucinations. This is the foundation 
upon which epilepsy stands. 

Dynamite may be struck once, or a thousand times, 
if the blows are light enough, but sooner or later it will 
explode; and the irritation produced by dyspepsia may 
be stored up for a time, but sooner or later it too will 
explode. It will accumulate in the central nervous sys- 



THE NON-CONTAGIOUS DISEASES. 221 

tern, the "brain and spinal cord, until they are sur- 
charged; and now at the first opportunity it breaks 
forth, and its power for the time is irresistible, as in 
an epileptic fit. 

Eye specialists claim that continued irritation, caused 
by constant strain of some of the muscles of the eye, 
has produced epilepsy in school children, and that the 
correction of the trouble with glasses has resulted in a 
permanent cure. 

The correction removed the irritation. 

Those who have studied the question of epilepsy be- 
lieve that with attention to diet and elimination a cure 
may be effected, while we all know that drug-medica- 
tion is useless. Operations are also useless. All forms 
have been tried. 

If injury should drive a sliver of bone into the skull, 
or cause other brain-pressure, an operation might re- 
lieve and effect a cure. Epilepsy is seldom caused by 
injury. 

During an attack of epilepsy the patient foams at 
the mouth because he is unable to swallow. The same 
is true during an attack of hydrophobia. 

Many will be unwilling to believe indigestion the 
cause of so many ailments, as they may never have had 
any pain or other evidence referable to the digestive 
organs; yet pain and other evidences of dyspepsia are 
not always referred to the seat of trouble, but may be 
flashed over a nerve-trunk and appear at some distant 
point. There may be burning, itching, a creeping or 
crawling sensation in different parts of the body, there 



222 MICROBES AI^D HEALTH. 

may be lightning pains^ neuralgia, rheumatism, head- 
ache, dizziness, spasms, hj^steria, bad taste in the mouth, 
jaundice, coated tongue, foul breath, and many other 
manifestations, all the result of dyspepsia, accumulated 
poisons in the system, bad air, lack of exercise, etc. 

Why so many indications from the same cause ? 

Because of our several powers to resist. A diseased 
stomach often causes pain in the lungs. That is be- 
cause the same nerve supplies both organs. This nerve 
is also connected with that part of the brain which con- 
trols coughing, hence the irritation may produce cough. 
Many think this is evidence of consumption. This is 
the kind of consumption that patent-medicine fakes 
cure. After free elimination and the great benefit that 
always follows, it is no trouble to get the usual letter 
from the patient, who no doubt believes she has been 
snatched from the brink of the grave. 

Cerebro-spinal meningitis, or inflammation of the 
membrane covering the brain and cord, may be caused 
by septic blood and retained waste. This condition 
excites inflammation in the membranes mentioned, and 
disease follows. 

As stated, medical authors do not account for many 
diseases. They tell us they are due to the "preponder- 
ance of the nervous system in the bodily conformation," 
or "to hereditary neuropathic diathesis." We are told 
that "gelatinous children of albuminous parents," are 
especially liable to tubercular meningitis. 

Take those diseases, the cause of which has never 
been given, and apply the following : 



THE NOK-CONTAGIOUS DISEASES. 223 

Eirst, indigestion from any cause. 

Second, an unhealthy condition of the digestive tract. 

Third;, unhealthy blood. 

Fourth, a lack of nourishment which must result. 

Fifth, the retained waste acting as an irritant and 
setting up a low form of inflammation (temperature 
may not be raised). 

Sixth, production of morbid or diseased tissue and 
destruction of the natural, with corresponding loss of 
organic function. 

Seventh, lowering of all the vital forces; the powers 
of resistance being more or less diminished. 

Eighth, contracting and hardening of the newly 
formed tissue, producing degenerative changes in all 
the organs of the body. 

The effect extends all the way from slight symptoms 
to more severe forms, and death. 

These conditions and changes actually occur, as every 
pathologist can testify. 

In all cases disease, any disease, is an indication that 
the system lacks nourishment, that lowering tendencies 
have been going on in the body, that waste and repair 
are not equal, that the nervous system has gradually 
lost control. 

It would be unreasonable to say that disease is caused 
by an increase in power or strength of the individual. 

If disease is due to a lack of nourishment, this has 
been brought about by bad air, poor food, poor diges- 
tion resulting from rapid eating, eating too much, from 
whisky or tobacco, from tight lacing, from lack of exer- 



224 MICROBES AND HEALTH. 

cise, too much hard work, or other forms of excess. 
The greatest cause is constipation. 

Many finel}^ written articles and much theorizing have 
been indulged in, regarding the causes of constipation; 
some claiming a lack of development in the thickness 
of the muscular walls of the digestive tract, imperfect 
nerve-supply, poor circulation; in the kind of food 
taken, in pathologic or diseased relations in the sur- 
rounding tissues or organs; some arguing that the 
malady is congenital, some that it is acquired; some 
claiming that it is due to too much hard work, and 
some to not enough, etc. And all this time consti- 
pation reigns supreme, and every day plunges the in- 
dividual lower in the scale of health. Constipation 
means the production of many poisons which per- 
meate the system, with lowering tendencies, deadening 
sensibility, stupefying every fiber. The poisons formed 
in the digestive tract are absorbed, producing a chronic 
state of disease. 

The blood lacks the normal constituents and con- 
tains too much waste, the blood-corpuscles are not 
healthy, the circulation becomes sluggish, with a tend- 
ency to coagulation. These conditions are evidence 
that nature is demanding her rights. The individual 
has transgressed beyond the limit of safety, and now 
must pay the debt, principal and interest. 

After disease is established skillful treatment may 
be needed, yet every disease and condition of ailment 
will be benefited by a properly selected diet, proper 
elimination, and the avoidance of all excesses. 



THE is^OI^-COisTAGIOUS DISEASES. 225 

ISTot all the skill of the medical profession has ever 
been able to treat the different forms of paralysis, 
epilepsy, consumption, etc., snccessfnlly with drug- 
medication alone; and sometimes diseases of lesser grav- 
ity, such as rheumatism, sciatica, neuralgia, hysteria, 
etc., refuse to yield to it. This proves that the disease 
is systemic, and that general disinfection is needed, 
something to check the degenerative changes, and na- 
tural food to supply and rebuild the wasting tissues. 

Foods are derived from the three kingdoms, animal, 
mineral and vegetable. They are divided into nitrog- 
enous, those containing the element nitrogen; and the 
non-nitrogenous, or carbohydrates, those not containing 
nitrogen. 

The nitrogenous are classed under the following 
heads : 

Fibrin, from the animal kingdom (all muscle is 
chiefly fibrin); glutin, from the vegetable kingdom 
(this is a form of albumin existing in grain); caseine, 
from the animal and vegetable kingdoms (this is a form 
of albumin found in milk); albumin, from the animal 
and vegetable kingdoms. 

So closely do these principles agree in chemical com- 
position and properties, that they are considered as 
being a modification of one substance, and are called 
proteids. Proteids are the most important of the ani- 
mal and vegetable compounds, and none of the phe- 
nomena of life occur without their presence. 

The other class of food-stuffs, the non-nitrogenous, 
differ more than do the proteids, yet they all have two 



226 MICROBES AND HEALTH. 

important properties in common, and contain two im- 
portant substances in common; i. e., sugar and starch. 
Sugar is chiefly of vegetable origin, the animal varieties 
being honey and the sugar found in milk. Sugar and 
starch are vegetable products, and under favorable cir- 
cumstances unite readily with the oxygen in the blood 
and produce water, carbonic acid and heat. 
- The three vital processes of life in both plants and 
animals are digestion, circulation and respiration. 
Both receive their nourishment from the air and soil. 
Chief among the substances are wheat, corn, rye, oats, 
barley, rice, etc. Collectively these are called cereals, 
and are said to contain all the elements necessary to 
maintain human life. There is said to be no record 
that takes us back or beyond the cultivation of wheat. 
It has been found in the lake dwellings of the ancient 
Swiss, and many believe it has existed since man has 
existed. 

It is estimated that two-thirds of our food is starch. 
Uncooked starch is indigestible. Unripe fruit contains 
starch, hence the danger of eating it uncooked. The 
starch is converted into sugar during the process of 
the fruit^s ripening. Some fruits contain sugar in con- 
siderable quantities, giving them a sweet taste. This 
is grape or starch sugar, and it is only one-half as sweet 
as cane or granulated sugar. 

Much has been said and written concerning the food 
products — ^what we should and should not eat. But 
when it comes to the question of food and drink, we 
are continual]}^ making mistakes. As evidence, we have 



THE xo:n"-co]S"tagious diseases. 227 

but to view the thoiisands of dyspeptics on even^ hand. 

Pepsin is the great remedy for dyspepsia^ and every 
butcher shop^ sausage factory, and all the great slaugh- 
ter-honses throughout the country have found it profit- 
able to go into the pepsin-manufacturing business. 
Xever before were there such enormous qu.antities of 
pepsin manufactured, and never before was there so 
much dyspepsia. G-radually we learn that we cannot 
purchase our digestion ready made. ^■ 

Statistics prove that dyspepsia is the primary cause 
of sickness in nearly one hundred per cent of cases. 
Few escape the ravages of dyspepsia at some period of 
their existence. When the stomach begins to give 
trouble, artificial digestants are resorted to, and the 
great army of consumers turns first from one remedy 
to another, each one making the rounds independent 
of the others. In this way the different manufacturers 
of the "dope" are kept busy, and sharpers are making 
fortunes every year. The class of people who take 
this patent stuff are looking for a specific, a something 
that will allow them to continue their indulgences and 
excesses, at the same time pa^dng little or no attention 
to the demands of nature. But sooner or later nature 
claims her rights, and for every transgression the indi- 
vidual must pay principal and interest. It may be in 
the form of an acute attack, a gradual and lingering 
disease, some of the many deformities from rheumatism, 
spinal disease, or an early death. 

Every one should learn that artificial digestants af- 
ford but temporary relief, that their effects are only 



228 MICROBES AND HEALTH. 

palliative; i. e.^ tliey quiet the symptoms witlioiit touch- 
ing the cause ; and that if continued these remedies will 
still further weaken the digestive organs. They do this 
by doing their work for them. It is well known that 
nature does not waste any of her forces, and that she 
does not perform any work in vain, and if artificial 
digestants are employed the natural digestive fluids and 
ferments will cease to flow. The muscles of an arm 
would atrophy if the arm should be carried in a 
sling. A joint would refuse to act if it were kept 
for a long time in one position. When the arm and 
joint cease to act nature ceases to supply them. The 
same is true of the digestive fluids. If they are sup- 
plied artificially, the digestive organs will go out of 
business — atrophy — like the muscles of the arm carried 
in the sling, or refuse to act, like the joint that had 
remained too long inactive. 

The symptoms of dyspepsia are, flatulency with 
eructations, bad taste in the mouth, coated tongue, foul 
breath, sense of fullness, soreness, pain, or a feeling of 
weight in the stomach, a raw or burning feeling in the 
stomach or behind the chest bone, low spirits, evil fore- 
bodings, pressure over the stomach, drowsiness after 
meals, headache, palpitation of the heart, with flutter- 
ings, and at times a hesitancy in its action, nausea and 
perhaps vomiting, at times the appetite poor and again 
ferocious, after which undigested food may lie in the 
stomach for hours or days. This may give the stomach 
control over the mental faculties, and the sufferer 
becomes irritable, may be unable to sleep, or may be 



THE KOK-COiTTAGIOUS DISEASES. 229 

troubled with bad dreams. Many great men and liigb 
livers have suffered from dyspepsia. 

Where indigestion occurs in the digestive tract below 
the stomach, there is pain or soreness two or three hours 
after eating. If gas forms, there is a sense of fullness 
and bloating. If long-continued the sufferer will be- 
come emaciated from lack of nourishment. 

The remedy for dyspepsia is largely in the hands of 
the sufferer, and can be expressed in one word — Diet. 

Eructations in which there is recognized by taste or 
smell anything eaten or drank, is evidence that the 
stomach cannot care for it. It is an indication that 
fermentation has occurred, and the flavor or odor of 
food is being thrown off, with the gases of decomposi- 
tion. This may result from improper food, more often 
from eating too much or too fast. If the eructations 
are greasy, avoid fats ; if the}^ are sour, avoid sugar and 
starchy foods, as these produce acids which cause the 
sour taste. If there is a bitter taste in the mouth it is 
bile, and indicates congestion of the bile-ducts. 

The stomach does not rebel without a cause, and its 
warnings should be heeded. When stomachal diges- 
tion is perfect we are unconscious we have a stomach. 
Every organ has its individual signs by which it makes 
known any abnormal condition, and it is upon the rec- 
ognition of such signs that diagnosis is made. Diet, 
fresh air, sunshine and proper exercise, will cure most 
cases of dj^spepsia. If muscular exercise could be 
bottled up and administered in tea or tablespoonful 
doses, while people were in bed or comfortably seated 
in rocking chairs, it would be more generally indulged 



.230 MICROBES AI^D HEALTH. 

in, and those preparing snch. treatment could command 
their millions. Ball playing, Indian-club swinging, 
the use of light dumb-bells, the playground with its 
sunshine and pure air, or gliding over the dancing 
waters in boats, are better than medicines, tonics, bit- 
ters, pills, powders, patents, and poor whisky. Eemem- 
ber, the three great physicians of nature are fresh air, 
pure water, and sunshine. 

When the stomach is irritable through indigestion, 
the condition is reflected to the brain and other organs 
through the connecting nerve-fibers. This weaves a 
thread of disorder which may baffle human skill. This 
•condition produces many imaginary ailments, the 
^T)lues," melancholy, irritability, etc. These cases do 
not need medicine. It is as absurd to treat such cases 
with medicine as it would be to give medicine for lame- 
ness caused by a sliver driven into the hand. The 
stomach needs a rest and freedom from all irritating 
substances just as much as the hand needs to have the 
sliver removed. Any quack can dose a dyspeptic with 
cathartic pills and whisky-bitters, but it takes a pro- 
found physiologist and a good cook to prepare food for 
a diseased stomach. 

All starchy foods should be cooked for a much longer 
time than usual. We read that bread is the staff of 
life, but as stated, there is nothing said about dough. 

Many cases of dyspepsia can be cured by eating 
slowly. It may be interesting to know that a glass of 
ice-water lowers the temperature of the stomach thirty 
degrees, and this has a powerful effect in checking 
digestion, and in producing shock. 

Alcohol is the greatest producer of dyspepsia. 



i 0©* 



OCT 7 1901 



